Asian

1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-zhən 

 also  -shən

: 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.

Asian

2 of 2

noun

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

Adjective

The story of the Kim family and their Toronto convenience store blends generational and classic comedy by lovingly tweaking expectations about Korean parenting and stereotypes (Simu Liu cannot keep his shirt on as our first Asian himbo). —Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025

The study evaluated trails in 11 Southeast Asian countries, with Malaysia claiming nine of the top 10 spots. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025

Noun

Rodriguez scored her first goal at the 2011 AFF Women’s Championship and went on to play in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. —Jackie Gutierrez, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Blackbird Modern Asian, at 1511 N. Old Dixie Highway, plans to show the broadcast live during dinner service. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1550, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Asian

• anti-Asian
• Asian American
• Asian carp
• Asian citrus psyllid
• Asian elephant
• Asian flu
• Asian giant hornet
• Asian hornet
• Asian longhorn beetle
• Asian longhorned beetle
• Asian pear
• Asian tiger mosquito

Rhymes for Asian

• suasion
• abrasion
• caucasian
• equation
• eurasian
• evasion
• invasion
• occasion
• persuasion
• athanasian

Kids Definition

Asian

adjective

ˈā-zhən,

ˈā-shən

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Asia or its people

Asian noun