European

1 of 2

adjective

Eu·​ro·​pe·​an ˌyu̇r-ə-ˈpē-ən 

-ˈpēn

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

Europeanness noun

European

2 of 2

noun

1

: a native or inhabitant of Europe

2

: a person of European descent

Examples of European in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Much of Black dandyism involves taking elements of European menswear and infusing them with an African diasporic sensibility, including bright colors for suits, ties, pocket squares, and hats as a form of cultural expression. —Kristopher Fraser, Robb Report, 20 June 2025

Public Enemy will also be the support act for Guns n’ Roses on several of the rock band’s European tour dates this summer. —Anna Chan, Billboard, 20 June 2025

Noun

Is this the year that Switzerland first reach the European Championship knockout stages? —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 21 June 2025

At the same time, the European Union appears to be shelving the Green Claims Directive, retreating under political pressure precisely when markets are demanding clear, consistent regulation to guide sustainable investment. —Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1555, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing European

• European American
• European bison
• European chafer
• European corn borer
• European flat
• European flat oyster
• European hornet
• European mountain ash
• European oyster
• European plan
• European red mite
• Indo-European
• Indo-European languages
• non-European
• non-Indo-European
• smaller European elm bark beetle
• un-European

Rhymes for European

• adlerian
• caesarian
• cyclopean
• empyrean
• euclidean
• grammarian
• hercynian
• huronian
• jacobean
• kampuchean
• maccabean
• manichaean

Kids Definition

European

1 of 2 adjective

Eu·​ro·​pe·​an ˌyu̇r-ə-ˈpē-ən 

: of or relating to Europe or its people

European

2 of 2 noun

1

: a person born or living in Europe

2

: a person of European ancestry