: 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
Thomas Adamson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
All of them, even those written with white casts in mind, now star Black, Asian, Latino or multiracial performers.
—Scott Heller, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
The Rani Glow aims to fill in the gap where the beauty and wellness needs of South Asian Americans, aged 18 to 45, are underserved.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Asian
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Adjective
Tens of thousands of people gathered on Istanbul’s Asian shore in Kadikoy for a rally, many railing against the jailing of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
—Thomas Adamson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
All of them, even those written with white casts in mind, now star Black, Asian, Latino or multiracial performers.
—Scott Heller, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
China looms large as the top trade partner for nearly every Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
The Rani Glow aims to fill in the gap where the beauty and wellness needs of South Asian Americans, aged 18 to 45, are underserved.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 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 4 May. 2025.
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