What is the Latin word for heathen?

The usual Latin words for “heathen” are pāgānus, ethnicus, gentīlis. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“heathen” in Latin

pāgānusof or pertaining to the countryside, rural, rustic; rustic, unlearned; pagan, heathen ethnicusheathen; pagan gentīlisof or belonging to the same family or gēns: kinsman; of or relating to a tribe or clan: clansman, tribesman; of or belon

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

heathen s.

paganus.

heathen adj.

ethnicus (ἐθνικός), or, pure Latin, paganus, gentilis (ecclesiastical). The expressions are to be retained as technical terms, in theological treatises. In other terms of compositions we may use circumlocution; as, *sacrorum Christianorum expers; *verae religionis ignarus; *qui verum Deum non agnoscit, etc.: the heathen, also gentes barbarae.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for heathen?: The usual Latin words for “heathen” are pāgānus, ethnicus, gentīlis. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.