pagan
gb/pˈeɪɡən/ us/pˈeɪɡən/
C1
English
~ 8300
pogány
NOUN
C1
1
pogány
B2
Usage pattern:
to call [someone] a pagan
Many modern pagans celebrate the cycles of the seasons with outdoor rituals.
Sok mai pogány a szabadban tartott szertartásokkal ünnepli az évszakok körforgását.
The village was originally home to pagans who worshipped several local gods.
A falu eredetileg olyan pogányoknak adott otthont, akik több helyi istent imádtak.
She identifies as a pagan and practices a nature-based spiritual path.
Some ancient pagans in Europe worshipped the sun and the moon.
The festival attracts pagans from all over the country.
Learner examples
Her friend is a pagan who likes old nature religions.
A barátja pogány, és a régi természetvallásokat kedveli.
In history class, we read about pagans in ancient Rome.
Történelemórán az ókori Róma pogányairól olvastunk.
Some pagans pray to many gods.
He met a group of pagans at a summer festival.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pagan' with 'peasant' because they look similar, but 'peasant' means a poor farmer, not a religious follower. Another mistake is using 'pagan' casually for any non-religious person; many people who call themselves pagans follow specific spiritual traditions, so the word can be sensitive or offensive if misused.
Meaning
follower of a pagan religion
Collocations
ancient pagans
|modern pagans
|pagan community
|pagan religion
|pagan beliefs
|pagan worship
Synonyms
polytheist (More technical and specific; focuses on belief in many gods, without the cultural or historical overtones of 'pagan'.)
|
heathen (Often old-fashioned or offensive; stresses being outside Christian faith and can imply ignorance or disrespect.)
Antonyms
Christian (Names a follower of Christianity, which is one of the main monotheistic religions that 'pagan' is typically contrasted with.)
Themes
religion
|history
|culture
Definition
A person who follows a religion that is not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, especially an old or nature-based religion with many gods.
A person who follows a religion outside the main monotheistic traditions, especially polytheistic or nature-based religions, including both ancient and modern forms.
C1
2
pogány
B2
Usage pattern:
a pagan [ritual/festival/religion/god]
The museum has a special exhibit on pagan art from ancient Europe.
A múzeumban külön kiállítás látható az ókori Európa pogány művészetéről.
They held a pagan ceremony to mark the spring equinox.
Pogány szertartást tartottak a tavaszi napéjegyenlőség alkalmából.
Her novel features a village that still follows pagan customs.
The site was once a pagan temple before it became a church.
He is researching pagan myths from the Baltic region.
Learner examples
We studied pagan temples in our history class.
Történelemórán a pogány templomokról tanultunk.
The story is about a pagan god of the forest.
A történet egy pogány erdőistenről szól.
They celebrate old pagan festivals in that town.
She wore symbols from her pagan religion.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'pagan' as an adjective always means something bad or immoral. In many modern and academic contexts, it is neutral and simply describes a type of religion or culture. It should not be used as a general word for 'bad' or 'uncivilized'.
Meaning
relating to pagan religions
Collocations
pagan religion
|pagan gods
|pagan rituals
|pagan temple
|pagan traditions
|pagan festival
Synonyms
polytheistic (Technical and narrower; focuses specifically on belief in many gods and is less about culture or history.)
|
pre-Christian (Historical; refers to the time before Christianity, often overlapping with 'pagan' but limited to that period.)
Antonyms
Christian (Describes things related to Christianity, which pagan beliefs and practices are often contrasted with historically.)
Themes
religion
|history
|culture
Definition
About a religion or culture that is not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, especially old or nature-based religions with many gods.
Relating to, characteristic of, or connected with religions outside the main monotheistic traditions, especially polytheistic or nature-based religions, including both ancient and modern forms.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
3
pogány
B2
Usage pattern:
to call [someone] a pagan for [enjoying something]
She laughed and called herself a pagan for never going to church and loving wild parties.
Nevetve pogánynak nevezte magát, mert sosem járt templomba, és imádta a vad bulikat.
He joked that he was a pagan because all he cared about on holidays was the food and the gifts.
Tréfásan azt mondta, hogy ő igazi pogány, mert az ünnepeken csak az étel és az ajándékok érdekelték.
My uncle is a bit of a pagan, more interested in wine and music than in religion.
They teasingly referred to their friend as a pagan when he skipped the religious service to sleep in.
In her family, anyone who misses the big religious festival is half-jokingly labeled a pagan.
Learner examples
He says he is a pagan because he likes food and drink more than church.
Azt mondja, ő pogány, mert jobban érdekli az evés-ivás, mint a templomba járás.
She calls her brother a pagan when he stays home on religious holidays.
Pogánynak nevezi a testvérét, amikor vallási ünnepeken otthon marad.
My friends are pagans; they do not go to any church or temple.
He laughs and says, "I am a pagan, I only care about the party!"
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this use is often humorous or lightly negative and may use it very seriously, which can sound rude. It should not be used as a neutral word for anyone who is not religious; 'nonreligious' or 'atheist' are better in careful or respectful speech.
Meaning
irreligious, pleasure-focused person
Collocations
such a pagan
|a total pagan
|a little pagan
|party pagan
|pagan at heart
Synonyms
hedonist (More formal and focused on the idea that pleasure is a main goal in life; lacks the specific religious reference of 'pagan'.)
|
nonbeliever (Focuses on lack of religious faith, without necessarily suggesting a love of physical pleasure or fun.)
Antonyms
devout (Describes someone who is very serious and committed about their religious faith, the opposite of the carefree, irreligious attitude suggested here.)
Themes
religion
|character
|informal
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who does not care about religion and enjoys food, drink, or fun a lot, often said in a joking or critical way.
A person who does not follow organized religion and is seen as living mainly for physical pleasure or enjoyment, often described jokingly or disapprovingly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pagan
IPA
GB/pˈeɪɡən/
US/pˈeɪɡən/
Syllables & stress
pa - gan (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pa)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: pagan
Noun
- Base: pagan
- Plural: pagans
Word family
Forms
pagans
noun
Core family
paganism
noun
Advanced or less common
paganize
verb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.