Iranian

noun

Ira·​ni·​an i-ˈrā-nē-ən  -ˈra-  -ˈrä-  ī- 

1

: a native or inhabitant of Iran

2

: a branch of the Indo-European family of languages that includes Persian see Indo-European Languages Table

Iranian adjective

Examples of Iranian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Farsi had witnessed the Iranian Revolution as a 13-year-old; she had been imprisoned at the age of 16 and had left Iran at 18; her films are currently banned in the country. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025

In Iranian Kurdistan, unemployment is widespread, leading many disenfranchised men to pursue this dangerous career. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted to their telegram channel Saturday that the talks ended after two and a half hours. —Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2025

Except during the 1979/80 Iranian Oil Crisis, monthly prices were relatively stable, but after 1980, only because the Saudis balanced the market. —Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Iranian

• Indo-Iranian
• Old Iranian

Rhymes for Iranian

• sasanian
• sassanian
• turanian
• turonian

Kids Definition

Iranian

noun

Ira·​ni·​an ir-ˈā-nē-ən 

1

: a person born or living in Iran

2

: a branch of the Indo-European family of languages that includes Persian

Iranian adjective