1. a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially one who is not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim)
Usage: often considered offensive
2. an uncivilized or irreligious person
Usage: informal; often humorous

1. relating to heathens or their beliefs and practices
Usage: often considered offensive

Examples

• The missionaries sought to convert the heathen populations.
• Ancient heathen temples were discovered in the archaeological dig.
• He jokingly called his friends heathens for not liking classical music.
• The novel depicted the clash between Christian and heathen cultures.
• She was raised in what some would call heathen traditions.
• The explorer wrote about encountering heathen rituals in distant lands.