heathen
gb/hˈiðən/ us/hˈiðən/
B1
English
~ 5000
pogány, barbár, bunkó
NOUN
B2
1
pogány
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a heathen
The missionaries traveled to distant lands to preach to the heathens.
A misszionáriusok távoli vidékekre utaztak, hogy prédikáljanak a pogányoknak.
He jokingly called his friend a heathen for never attending church.
Tréfásan pogánynak nevezte a barátját, amiért soha nem jár templomba.
In ancient times, the Romans considered many northern tribes to be heathens.
Learner examples
My uncle is a heathen and does not go to church.
A nagybátyám pogány, és nem jár templomba.
They wanted to teach the heathens about their religion.
Meg akarták ismertetni a pogányokkal a vallásukat.
She called him a heathen because he did not pray.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'heathen' with 'atheist'. 'Heathen' can refer to someone who follows a different religion, not just someone who lacks belief.
Meaning
Person outside a major religion
Collocations
call someone a heathen
|converted the heathens
|heathen tribes
Synonyms
nonbeliever (Neutral term for someone without religious belief.)
|
pagan (Often used for followers of pre-Christian or polytheistic religions.)
Antonyms
believer (Someone who follows a religion or faith.)
|
Christian (Specific follower of Christianity, often contrasted with 'heathen' in Christian contexts.)
Themes
religion
|culture
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone who does not believe in or follow one of the main world religions.
A person who does not follow any of the main world religions, especially Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.
B2
2
pogány
B2
Usage pattern:
a heathen [person/group/custom]
They tried to replace heathen practices with Christian ones.
Megpróbálták a pogány szokásokat keresztény szokásokkal felváltani.
The village still held several heathen festivals.
A faluban még mindig tartottak néhány pogány ünnepet.
He rejected the new faith and kept his heathen beliefs.
Learner examples
They stopped the heathen festival.
Véget vetettek a pogány ünnepnek.
The people had many heathen customs.
Az embereknek sok pogány szokásuk volt.
Heathen beliefs were common in that area.
Meaning
Not following major religion
Collocations
heathen customs
|heathen beliefs
|heathen practices
Synonyms
pagan (Often implies pre-Christian or polytheistic belief systems.)
|
nonreligious (Broader and more neutral; not necessarily tied to historical or cultural context.)
Antonyms
religious (Actively following a religion.)
Themes
religion
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not believing in or following one of the big world religions.
Not believing in or following one of the main world religions, especially Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a heathen for [doing something]
You heathen! Use a fork, not your hands.
Te barbár! Villával egyél, ne kézzel.
He called me a heathen for never watching that classic film.
Barbárnak nevezett, amiért soha nem néztem meg azt a klasszikus filmet.
Don't eat with your mouth open, you heathen.
Learner examples
She called me a heathen because I ate with my hands.
Barbárnak nevezett, mert kézzel ettem.
He is a heathen and never says thank you.
Bunkó, és soha nem köszön meg semmit.
They laughed and said I was a heathen for not knowing the song.
Meaning
Uncultured or rude person
Collocations
you heathen
|uncultured heathen
|like a heathen
Synonyms
barbarian (Implies being wild or uncivilized, sometimes stronger insult.)
|
philistine (More formal; disapproving of culture or arts.)
Antonyms
gentleman (Polite and refined man.)
|
lady (Polite and refined woman.)
Themes
humor
|social
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone who is rude or does not know how to behave in a polite way, often said as a joke.
A person regarded as uncultured, ignorant, or lacking good manners, often used humorously or insultingly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
heathen
IPA
GB/hˈiðən/
US/hˈiðən/
Syllables & stress
hea - then (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (hea)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: heathen
Noun
- Base: heathen
- Plural: heathen
Word family
Related words
pagan
noun C1
Advanced or less common
heathenism
noun
Expressions
like a heathen
1/lˈaɪk ə hˈiðən/
fixed phrase
informal
Behaving without manners or culture
To act in a way that is rude or not polite.
Examples
- He was eating like a heathen, with food all over his hands.
- She barged into the room like a heathen without knocking.
uncultured heathen
1/ʌŋkˌʌlt͡ʃɚd hˈiðən/
fixed phrase
informal
Person without cultural refinement
A person who does not know about art, music, or polite ways of living.
Examples
- I felt like an uncultured heathen at the art gallery.
- Don't be an uncultured heathen—try some opera at least once.