pagan

UK: /ˈpeɪgən/ US: /ˈpeɪgən/ ,(pā′gən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pa•gan /ˈpeɪgən/   n. [countable]

1. one of a people or community following a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Greeks.
2. one who is not a believer in one of the monotheistic religions.
3. one who is not religious, esp. a hedonist or sensualist.

adj. 

4. of or relating to pagans or their religion:
   pagan rituals and sacrifices.
5. not religious.

pa•gan•ism, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pa•gan  (pā′gən), n. 

1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.

adj. 

4. pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans.
6. irreligious or hedonistic.

• Medieval Latin, Late Latin pāgānus worshiper of false gods, origin, originally civilian (i.e., not a soldier of Christ), Latin: peasant, noun, nominal use of pāgānus rural, civilian, derivative of pāgus village, rural district (akin to pangere to fix, make fast); see -an¹
• Middle English 1325–75

pa ′gan•ish, adj. 
pa′gan•ish•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 2. . heathen, gentile.
• 5. . See heathen. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pagan / ˈpeɪɡən/ noun

1. a member of any of several groups that profess a polytheistic religion that draws on ancient traditions involving the worship of nature
2. (esp formerly) any person who does not worship the Christian God
3. a person without any religion; heathen

adjective

1. of or relating to pagans or their faith or worship
2. heathen; irreligious

Etymology: 14th Century: from Church Latin pāgānus civilian (hence, not a soldier of Christ), from Latin: countryman, villager, from pāgus village

ˈpagandom noun

ˈpaganish adjective

ˈpaganism noun