oriental

1 of 2

adjective

ori·​en·​tal ˌȯr-ē-ˈen-tᵊl 

1

or Oriental : of, relating to, or situated in the Orient : eastern

2

or Oriental often offensive; see usage paragraph below : of, relating to, or coming from Asia and especially eastern Asia

oriental food

oriental art

oriental medicine

3

Oriental : of, relating to, or constituting the biogeographic region that includes Asia south and southeast of the Himalayas and the Malay Archipelago west of Wallace's line

4

a

: of superior grade, luster, or value

b

: being corundum or sapphire but simulating another gem in color

orientally

ˌȯr-ē-ˈen-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Usage of Oriental

The adjective oriental, which carries strong associations with Western colonialism and with language that treats people as exotic or "Other," is usually considered offensive when used by non-Asian people to describe people of various Asian identities. The same is true of the related noun. The adjective as used to describe elements of Asian culture often has a dated feel, and is increasingly regarded as offensive.

Oriental

2 of 2

noun

plural Orientals

1

dated, usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : asian

especially : one who is a native of east Asia or is of east Asian descent

2

: oriental rug

3

: oriental shorthair

Usage of Oriental

The noun Oriental has a long history of association with colonialism and with language that others and exoticizes people of various Asian identities. While Oriental is not offensive in senses 2 and 3 above, the use of Oriental to refer to a person is usually considered offensive.

Examples of oriental in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To book your stay at the new property, head to the Mandarin Oriental’s website. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing oriental

• oriental fruit moth

Rhymes for oriental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental

Kids Definition

oriental

1 of 2 adjective

ori·​en·​tal ˌōr-ē-ˈent-ᵊl 

ˌȯr-

often capitalized

: of, relating to, or situated in Asia

orientally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Oriental

2 of 2 noun

usually offensive

: one who is a native of east Asia or is of east Asian descent