Word
paganism
Phoneticspa·gan·ism
US/ˈpeɪɡəˌnɪzəm/
UK/pˈeɪɡənˌɪzəm/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. religious beliefs that involve many gods, especially those from ancient times or local cultures.
n. any of various polytheistic or indigenous religions, particularly those of ancient Europe or the Near East that predated Christianity.
Examples
“The ancient people practiced a form of paganism.”
“Scholars study the remnants of paganism in modern folklore and seasonal festivals.”
“The transition from paganism to monotheism often involved the systematic suppression of traditional rituals and the reclassification of local spirits as demonic entities.”
Examples
simple
“The ancient people practiced a form of paganism.”
contextual
“Scholars study the remnants of paganism in modern folklore and seasonal festivals.”
complex
“The transition from paganism to monotheism often involved the systematic suppression of traditional rituals and the reclassification of local spirits as demonic entities.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general concept, but countable when referring to specific traditions.
Real-World Examples
“Julius Evola, a Fascist intellectual who wanted Italy to abandon Catholicism for ancient Roman paganism, proposed that Zen was an outgrowth of an ancient “Indo-Aryan” religion mirrored by ascetic European traditions.” “The Neocatechumenal Way is a movement inspired by the catechumenate of the early Catholic Church where converts from paganism were prepared for baptism.” Etymology
From Latin pāgānismus (“heathenism”), from pāgānus (“peasant, rural, rustic”). The term was used pejoratively by local Orthodox Christian Demonyms to belittle what remained of alternative native ideas and ideals. By surface analysis, pagan + -ism.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
- Register
- Academic, Formal
QR code
englishreference.com/q/paganism