pagan — a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpeɪɡən/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother still follows some pagan traditions, like leaving milk for forest spirits.
- The Vikings were famous pagans who believed Thor controlled thunder with his mighty hammer.
- Halloween has its roots in ancient pagan festivals celebrating the harvest and honoring the dead.
pagan
NOUN[/ˈpeɪɡən/]
a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions

Worshipping outside mainstream religions

A pagan, Reagan, and vegan - all beliefs in one scene!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin 'paganus', originally meaning 'countryman' or 'civilian'. As Christianity spread from urban centers, the term came to refer to those in rural areas who maintained traditional polytheistic religions, eventually acquiring its modern sense of 'non-believer' or 'heathen'.
Breakdown
paganus (Latin: countryman, from pagus meaning village or rural district) + -an (agent suffix) → pagan (one from the countryside; later, one outside the Christian faith).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother still follows some pagan traditions, like leaving milk for forest spirits.”
“The Vikings were famous pagans who believed Thor controlled thunder with his mighty hammer.”
“Halloween has its roots in ancient pagan festivals celebrating the harvest and honoring the dead.”
“The professor jokingly called himself a 'coffee pagan' because he worshipped his morning espresso.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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