paganism

[ pey-guh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. pagan spirit or attitude in religious or moral questions.
2. the beliefs or practices of pagans.
3. the state of being a pagan.

Other Words From

• pagan·ist adjective noun
• pagan·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paganism¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English pāgānysme, from Late Latin pāgānismus, equivalent to Latin pāgān(us) pagan + -ismus -ism

Example Sentences

They represented, for her, fecundity and paganism.

From Los Angeles Times

It is one of many paths that come under the umbrella of Paganism, which was found by the 2021 census to be the most popular "other religion" in England and Wales.

From BBC

Her journey in discovering Paganism and accepting her bisexuality happened "almost in tandem", as she gradually learnt her atheist beliefs were not giving her "a sense of fulfilment".

From BBC

Brigid’s Day is “an invitation to stop the pointless millennia old war of Christianity versus paganism” and see “the wisdom and beauty in both lineages,” wrote Melanie Lynch, founder of Herstory, which campaigned in support of the new national holiday.

From Seattle Times

Souling, a longstanding tradition with links to Christianity rather than paganism, is comparable to trick-or-treating in that it involved going from door-to-door to beg for "soul cakes".

From Salon

Related Words

• blasphemy
• fallacy