: 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
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Not Asian enough, not Arab enough, never American or Muslim enough.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
At European soccer governing body UEFA’s Congress in Stockholm in April 2002, Kazakhstan was admitted as the confederation’s 52nd member after leaving the Asian Football Confederation the previous year.
—Nina Subkhanberdina, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Asian
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Adjective
Neogy left not during Amin’s Asian expulsion but earlier, after running afoul of the preceding regime, President Milton Obote’s.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Not Asian enough, not Arab enough, never American or Muslim enough.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
Argosy’s other dining options listed on its website include Hops House, Red Lotus Asian Kitchen, Parisi Cafe and Slice Pizzeria.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
At European soccer governing body UEFA’s Congress in Stockholm in April 2002, Kazakhstan was admitted as the confederation’s 52nd member after leaving the Asian Football Confederation the previous year.
—Nina Subkhanberdina, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 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 7 Oct. 2025.
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