Heathen
noun
A person who does not belong to any of the widely held religions.
In the medieval times, people who were not Christians were often regarded as heathens.
Often appears as...
- regarded as heathen
- call someone a heathen
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not associated with any religion.
Heathen practices were frowned upon in the Christian community.
Often appears as...
- heathen practices
- heathen rituals
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person who does not follow societal norms or rules.
You're a heathen if you eat without washing your hands first.
Often appears as...
- act like a heathen
- behave like a heathen
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A person who does not belong to any of the widely held religions.
In the medieval times, people who were not Christians were often regarded as heathens.
Often appears as...
- regarded as heathen
- call someone a heathen
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not associated with any religion.
Heathen practices were frowned upon in the Christian community.
Often appears as...
- heathen practices
- heathen rituals
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person who does not follow societal norms or rules.
You're a heathen if you eat without washing your hands first.
Often appears as...
- act like a heathen
- behave like a heathen
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Religious nuance
Used for someone outside major religions, often from a dominant religion's view.
The villagers called the foreign traders heathens.
Pro Tip 2/3Potential offense
Can be derogatory or offensive if used to single out different beliefs.
Calling his beliefs heathen hurt his feelings.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical context
Once common to justify colonization or conversion efforts.
Explorers labeled the indigenous peoples heathens to convert them.
Pro Tip 1/3Religious nuance
Used for someone outside major religions, often from a dominant religion's view.
The villagers called the foreign traders heathens.
Pro Tip 2/3Potential offense
Can be derogatory or offensive if used to single out different beliefs.
Calling his beliefs heathen hurt his feelings.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical context
Once common to justify colonization or conversion efforts.
Explorers labeled the indigenous peoples heathens to convert them.
Pro Tip 1/3Religious nuance
Used for someone outside major religions, often from a dominant religion's view.
The villagers called the foreign traders heathens.
Pro Tip 2/3Potential offense
Can be derogatory or offensive if used to single out different beliefs.
Calling his beliefs heathen hurt his feelings.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical context
Once common to justify colonization or conversion efforts.
Explorers labeled the indigenous peoples heathens to convert them.
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Video examples
How One Brilliant Woman...
they occurred at the same location as her proposed ballet and as he expanded to other areas they found something interesting where there were mid-ocean ridges there were also earthquakes so it seemed as though these two were related at this point even the skeptical heathen
Video examples
How One Brilliant Woman...
they occurred at the same location as her proposed ballet and as he expanded to other areas they found something interesting where there were mid-ocean ridges there were also earthquakes so it seemed as though these two were related at this point even the skeptical heathen
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Tim Wise
American Activist
I don't think the job of the antiracist is to convert the far-out heathen racist, or give them their 'come to Jesus' moment, as it's called. They'll either have those or they won't, and usually, when they have them, it's not because of something someone said per se; it's because of some life crisis that makes them rethink.
Quote examples
Julian Baggini
British Author
Heathens are unredeemed outcasts from heaven who roam the planet without hope of surviving the deaths of their bodies. They may have values, but they are not secured by any divine source. Yet we embrace this because we think it represents the truth.
Quote examples
Francis Bacon
English Philosopher
The quarrels and divisions about religion were evils unknown to the heathen. The reason was because the religion of the heathen consisted rather in rites and ceremonies than in any constant belief.
Quote examples
Adoniram Judson
American Clergyman
On thee, Jesus, all our hopes depend. In thee all power is vested, even power to make sinful creatures instrumental in enlightening the heathen.
Quote examples
Greg Graffin
American Musician
I'm trying to champion the naturalist's worldview and show it's not as heathen as most religious people would make it out to be.
Quote examples
Harriet Beecher Stowe
American Author
I would not attack the faith of a heathen without being sure I had a better one to put in its place.
Quote examples
Jeanette Winterson
British Novelist
I didn't mind being unpopular at school, because everyone else was a heathen.
Quote examples
Saint Patrick
Scottish Saint
I have vowed to my God to teach the heathen, though I be despised by some.
Quote examples
Greta Scacchi
Italian Actress
I'm a heathen when it comes to marriage.
Quote examples
David Alan Grier
American Comedian
I, myself, identify myself as a heathen.
Quote examples
Tim Wise
American Activist
I don't think the job of the antiracist is to convert the far-out heathen racist, or give them their 'come to Jesus' moment, as it's called. They'll either have those or they won't, and usually, when they have them, it's not because of something someone said per se; it's because of some life crisis that makes them rethink.
Quote examples
Julian Baggini
British Author
Heathens are unredeemed outcasts from heaven who roam the planet without hope of surviving the deaths of their bodies. They may have values, but they are not secured by any divine source. Yet we embrace this because we think it represents the truth.
Quote examples
Francis Bacon
English Philosopher
The quarrels and divisions about religion were evils unknown to the heathen. The reason was because the religion of the heathen consisted rather in rites and ceremonies than in any constant belief.
Quote examples
Adoniram Judson
American Clergyman
On thee, Jesus, all our hopes depend. In thee all power is vested, even power to make sinful creatures instrumental in enlightening the heathen.
Quote examples
Greg Graffin
American Musician
I'm trying to champion the naturalist's worldview and show it's not as heathen as most religious people would make it out to be.
Quote examples
Harriet Beecher Stowe
American Author
I would not attack the faith of a heathen without being sure I had a better one to put in its place.
Quote examples
Jeanette Winterson
British Novelist
I didn't mind being unpopular at school, because everyone else was a heathen.
Quote examples
Saint Patrick
Scottish Saint
I have vowed to my God to teach the heathen, though I be despised by some.
Quote examples
Greta Scacchi
Italian Actress
I'm a heathen when it comes to marriage.
Quote examples
David Alan Grier
American Comedian
I, myself, identify myself as a heathen.
Example 1 of 10
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