: of, relating to, or characteristic of the continent of Asia or its people
Asian vs. Asiatic: Usage Guide
Asian is now solidly preferred to Asiatic; the latter persists mainly in the names of some kinds of flora and fauna.
an Asiatic lily
the Asiatic elephant
Asiatic still has some use as a geographical designator
the Asiatic side of the Bosporus
but has increasingly been considered offensive, especially as associated with the policies of colonialism.
1
: a native or inhabitant of Asia
2
: a person of Asian descent
Examples of Asian in a Sentence
Noun
There are many Asians living in South America.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
The company attributed it to a rebalancing of the Japanese yen, with Japan the only Asian country to record negative sales growth, as well as soft tourist spending in Europe.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Malaysia currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 24 July 2025
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Adjective
Distinctive elements: White oak vanity; brass fixtures; quartz countertops; Asian wallpaper.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
The company attributed it to a rebalancing of the Japanese yen, with Japan the only Asian country to record negative sales growth, as well as soft tourist spending in Europe.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Noun
The Asian Development Bank cut its estimate of the country's economic expansion for FY26 — which runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026 — to 6.5% from the 6.7% expected in April.
—Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Malaysia currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for Asian
Cite this Entry
“Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Asian. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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