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 district is 24% Hispanic and Latino, 14% Asian and 10% Black. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Instead of traditional pastry cream, Gold Bunny draws inspiration from Asian flavors, like black sesame cream and taro coconut. — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Noun

The project recently won the Kantana Sound Studio Asian Project Award at the Bangkok International Content Market 2026. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026

After a montage of her work, director Tian Zhuangzhuang and Asian Film Awards Academy chair Wilfred Wong presented the award, and Hui received a standing ovation. — Jenny S. Li, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

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 influenza
• Asian longhorn beetle
• Asian long-horned beetle
• Asian pear
• Asian tiger mosquito
• East Asian
• South Asian
• Southeast Asian

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