The difference between Heathen and Pagan

When used as nouns, heathen means a person who does not follow a christian religion, whereas pagan means a person not adhering to an abrahamist religion.

When used as adjectives, heathen means not adhering to christian religion, whereas pagan means relating to, characteristic of or adhering to non-abrahamist religions (i.e. not christianity, judaism, or islam), especially earlier polytheism.


check bellow for the other definitions of Heathen and Pagan

  1. Heathen as an adjective:

    Not adhering to Christian religion; pagan.

  2. Heathen as an adjective (by extension):

    Uncultured; uncivilized; savage, philistine.

  3. Heathen as an adjective:

    .

  1. Heathen as a noun:

    A person who does not follow a Christian religion; a pagan.

  2. Heathen as a noun (by extension):

    An uncultured or uncivilized person, philistine.

  3. Heathen as a noun:

    .

  1. Pagan as an adjective:

    Relating to, characteristic of or adhering to non-Abrahamist religions (i.e. not Christianity, Judaism, or Islam), especially earlier polytheism.

    Examples:

    "Many converted societies transformed their pagan deities into saints."

  2. Pagan as an adjective (by extension, pejorative):

    Savage, immoral, uncivilized, wild.

  1. Pagan as a noun:

    A person not adhering to an Abrahamist religion; a follower of a pantheistic or nature-worshipping religion.

    Examples:

    "This community has a surprising number of pagans."

  2. Pagan as a noun (by extension, pejorative):

    An uncivilized or unsocialized person.

  3. Pagan as a noun (by extension, pejorative):

    An unruly, badly educated child.