pagan
pagan — adjective
1. connected with an older religion outside the main world faiths, often one with s
connected with an older religion outside the main world faiths, often one with several gods.
The museum displayed pagan statues from ancient Greece beside Roman coins.
collocation: pagan statues
Local farmers kept some pagan spring customs after the empire became Christian.
The textbook explains how pagan gods shaped early northern stories.
A stone pagan temple once stood on the hill above town.
The play shows pagan priests praying before the battle begins.
- polytheistic
more precise when the focus is belief in many gods
- pre-Christian
stresses that the religion existed before Christianity spread
- heathen
older and often disapproving, unlike the more neutral historical use of 'pagan'
- monotheistic
describes religions centered on one god
文法句型
pagan + noun
pagan gods/temples/rituals
用法筆記
Common in history, literature, and discussion of older religions. Distinguish from adjective sense 2, which refers to present-day belief groups rather than ancient ones.
常見錯誤
2. connected with a present-day religion outside the main world faiths, often cente
connected with a present-day religion outside the main world faiths, often centered on nature.
The shop sells pagan candles, herbs, and books about moon rituals.
modern pagan objects and practice
Lena joined a pagan group that meets in the forest monthly.
pattern: pagan group
The radio host interviewed pagan leaders at the summer gathering.
Their pagan wedding included flowers, songs, and a circle in the garden.
The website lists pagan events for people interested in nature worship.
- neo-pagan
a more exact label for modern forms of pagan belief
- nature-based
describes the focus on nature but is broader than 'pagan'
- earth-centered
highlights respect for nature and seasonal practice
文法句型
pagan + noun
pagan group/festival/wedding
用法筆記
Usually refers to present-day groups, events, and beliefs, and some followers write it with an uppercase P. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, which is mainly about older religions in history.
常見錯誤
pagan — noun
1. someone who follows an older religion outside the main world faiths, often one w
someone who follows an older religion outside the main world faiths, often one with several gods.
The soldier refused baptism because he was still a pagan.
pattern: a pagan
In the novel, a pagan hides his wooden gods from soldiers.
historical believer in many gods
The bishop preached against pagans living beyond the city walls.
Marcus played a pagan who prayed to Mars before battle.
Village elders feared the pagan from the hills would reject church law.
- polytheist
more precise and neutral when the person believes in many gods
- heathen
older and often insulting, especially in modern use
- idolater
strongly disapproving and focused on image worship
- monotheist
someone who believes in one god
文法句型
a pagan
pagans + plural verb
用法筆記
Common in writing about ancient Rome, Greece, and early Christianity. In older Christian language it could also mean a person outside Christianity, and that use may sound judgmental today; compare noun 3 for present-day self-identification.
常見錯誤
2. someone who does not follow or believe in any religion.
someone who does not follow or believe in any religion.
At dinner, Eva laughed and called herself a pagan, not a believer.
used for someone with no religion
Grandpa joked that Max was a pagan because he never entered church.
pattern: call someone a pagan
Neighbors sometimes call Ben a pagan because he says prayer means nothing.
Some church members called the new mayor a pagan because he rejected all religion.
Her aunt says the whole family are pagans after years away from worship.
- atheist
more exact for someone who does not believe in any god
- unbeliever
often means a person without the speaker's faith
- nonbeliever
broader and usually less old-fashioned than this sense of 'pagan'
- believer
someone who has religious faith
- worshipper
someone who actively takes part in worship
文法句型
a pagan
call someone a pagan
用法筆記
Often used loosely, jokingly, or from a religious point of view rather than as a careful label. Distinguish from noun 1 and noun 3, both of which describe people who do follow a religion.
常見錯誤
3. someone who follows a present-day religion outside the main world faiths, often
someone who follows a present-day religion outside the main world faiths, often one that honors nature.
Mia became a pagan after joining a group that honors the seasons.
modern self-identification
Several pagans met at sunrise to welcome the longest day.
modern seasonal practice
The festival invited local pagans to lead a nature prayer.
Ethan's sister is a pagan and keeps herbs by the window.
Two pagans from Taichung taught children about herbs and moon signs.
- neo-pagan
the most exact term for a follower of modern paganism
- Wiccan
a narrower word for one specific modern pagan religion
- nature worshipper
descriptive, but broader and less exact than 'pagan'
文法句型
a pagan
pagans + plural verb
用法筆記
Often used by present-day followers as a self-description, sometimes written with an uppercase P. Distinguish from noun 1, which usually points to older religions in historical settings.