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 Chinese market is part of a larger Asian art ecosystem, so one thing is a slowdown in mainland China, which certainly is real. —Joelle Diderich, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024

Aqsa was raised in Kuwait by South Asian Muslim migrant worker parents. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2024

Noun

For example, the development economics community led by Sir Partha Dasgupta from the University of Cambridge have hosted the South Asian Network of Development and Environment Economists (SANDEE) training programs at the ICIMOD venue for many years. —Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, Filipinos accounted for 17% of all Asian Americans in the U.S., according to Pew. —Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

Asian

adjective

ˈā-zhən,

ˈā-shən

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

Asian noun