Aryan

1 of 2

adjective

Ary·​an ˈa-rē-ən 

ˈer-ē-;

ˈär-yən 

1

: indo-european

2

a

: of or relating to a hypothetical ethnic type illustrated by or descended from early speakers of Indo-European languages

b

: nordic

c

—used in Nazism to designate a supposed master race of non-Jewish Caucasians usually having Nordic features

3

: of or relating to Indo-Iranian or its speakers

Aryan

2 of 2

noun

1

: indo-european

2

a

: nordic

b

: gentile

Examples of Aryan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Word about Hitler’s belief in Aryan superiority had spread far, and many observers warned of its genocidal, war-bringing ramifications. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026

Owens won four gold medals at those Olympic Games, famously undermining Adolf Hitler’s attempt to assert Aryan supremacy. — Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Owens won four gold medals at those Games, famously undermining Adolf Hitler’s attempt to assert Aryan supremacy. — Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Solitary Confinement • By the way, Ian’s partner Stevie gets shot in the Aryan attack and is later hospitalized. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Dec. 2025

Well compound when Phil — tarred and feathered by his Aryan brothers, presumably for squawking to Lee back in episode two — runs screaming into his arms. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Sanskrit ārya noble, belonging to an ancient people of northern India speaking an Indo-European dialect

First Known Use

Adjective

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Aryan

• Indo-Aryan

Rhymes for Aryan

• cesarean

Kids Definition

Aryan

noun

Ary·​an

ˈar-ē-ən, 

ˈer-, 

ˈär-yən

1

: indo-european sense 2

2

: a member of the subgroup of Indo-European speakers ancestral to speakers of Indo-Aryan and Iranian languages

Aryan adjective