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

In contrast, Inoue’s writing has been quite successfully translated into other Asian languages. — Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026

The movie has yet to opening in Germany, Spain, Japan, Argentina and smaller Euro and Asian countries. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2026

Noun

Miky Lee, vice chair of Korea’s CJ Group, was handed the Asian Hall of Fame’s Centennial Medal of Lifetime Achievement in Los Angeles. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026

The city also partners with Immigrant Defenders Law Center and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California to connect eligible community members with legal screenings, consultations and defense in immigration removal proceedings. — Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 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