paganism

UK: /ˈpeɪgənɪzəm/ US: (pā′gə niz′əm)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pa•gan•ism  (pā′gə niz′əm), n. 

1. pagan spirit or attitude in religious or moral questions.
2. the beliefs or practices of pagans.
3. the state of being a pagan.

• Late Latin pāgānismus, equivalent. to Latin pāgān(us) pagan + -ismus -ism
• late Middle English pāgānysme 1400–50

pa′gan•ist, adj., n. 
pa′gan•is′tic, adj. 

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

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 © 2025

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.