barbarian

bar·bar·i·an

adj \bär-ˈber-ē-ən\

Definition of BARBARIAN

1

: of or relating to a land, culture, or people alien and usually believed to be inferior to another land, culture, or people

2

: lacking refinement, learning, or artistic or literary culture

— barbarian noun

— bar·bar·i·an·ism \-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm\ noun

Examples of BARBARIAN

1. <people who were regarded as barbarian by the ancient Romans>

Origin of BARBARIAN

Latin barbarus — more at barbarous

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BARBARIAN

Synonyms: savage, barbaric, barbarous, heathen, heathenish, natural, Neanderthal (or Neandertal), rude, uncivil, uncivilized, uncultivated, wild

Antonyms: civilized

Related Words: coarse, crude, primitive, rough; uncouth, uncultured

Near Antonyms: cultured, enlightened, humane, sophisticated; genteel, polished, polite, refined, urbane, well-bred; semicivilized

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Rhymes with BARBARIAN

agrarian, Aquarian, Bavarian, Bulgarian, Canarian, Cancerian, cesarean, cnidarian, contrarian, grammarian, Hungarian, librarian, Maid Marian, ovarian, riparian, rosarian, Rotarian, sectarian, Sumerian, Tartarean, Tartarian, Tocharian, Tractarian, Wagnerian