Added 10 October 2026
heathen
/ˈhiːðən/ adjective
In Latin: gentilis Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about heathen at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Not adhering to an Abrahamic religion; pagan.
- Uncultured; uncivilized; savage; barbarian.
- Alternative letter-case form of Heathen (pertaining or adhering to the Germanic neo-pagan faith Heathenry).
noun
- A pagan; someone who is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim (other Abrahamic or monotheistic religions may or may not be included)
- An uncultured or uncivilized person, philistine.
- Alternative letter-case form of Heathen .
Origin
From Middle English hethen, from Old English hǣþen, from Proto-West Germanic *haiþin, from Proto-Germanic *haiþīnaz (“heathen, pagan”, adjective), equivalent to heath (“heathland”) + -en. Cognate with West Frisian heiden, Dutch heiden, Middle High German heiden, German Heiden, German Heide, Swedish heden, Danish hedensk (from heden + -sk), Icelandic heiðinn. See also Proto-Germanic *haiduz, Old Norse heiðr (honour, bright, moor), Icelandic heiður (honour).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)