Heathen
'hiːðən
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who does not believe in God or a specific religion, or who is considered uncivilized and irreligious, especially by those of a different religion.
'hiːðən
A person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim) as regarded by those of another religion.
In the old days, people used the word 'heathen' to describe people who didn't believe in Christianity.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who doesn't go to church or believe in the same things as you do. In the old days, that person might have been called a heathen. It's like they lived outside the main rules of religion.
👶 For kids: A heathen is someone who doesn't believe in the same things you do about God or church.
More Examples
The explorers considered the indigenous people of the island to be heathens.
Some viewed the artist's unconventional lifestyle as heathen.
How It's Used
"The missionaries sought to convert the heathens to Christianity."
"He was a complete heathen, with no respect for tradition or customs."
Characteristic of heathens; pagan; irreligious; uncivilized.
'hiːðən
Relating to heathens; pagan.
The explorers encountered heathen rituals that were unfamiliar to them.
💡 Simply: When something is 'heathen,' it means it has to do with people who have beliefs that are different or not the same as the main religions.
👶 For kids: If something is called heathen, it has to do with people who don't believe the same things about God.
More Examples
The soldiers were shocked at the heathen practices of the conquered people.
The conquerors destroyed the heathen temples and built churches in their place.
How It's Used
"The old castle still stood, a heathen stronghold against the invading army."
Idioms & expressions
heathen Chinee
A derogatory term used to describe Chinese people, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
"Use of this phrase is considered offensive."
heathen rage
Extreme or uncontrolled anger.
"The knight unleashed a heathen rage at the sight of the dragon."
From Old English *hāðen* ('dweller on the heath, rustic, pagan'). Originally referring to non-Christians, especially in Germanic and Anglo-Saxon societies; later broadened to include anyone considered uncivilized or irreligious, and today is often used loosely to describe someone without religious beliefs.
The word *heathen* was widely used in historical texts to describe people outside the major established religions, particularly in the context of religious conversion and conflict.
Memory tip
Think of the *heath* – a remote, wild place. Heathens were those *outside* the established religious structures, living 'on the heath'.
Word Origin
"one living on the heath, rustic, pagan"