SINCE 1828
Japanese
noun
Jap·a·nese
| \ ˌja-pə-ˈnēz
, -ˈnēs\
, -ˈnēs\
plural Japanese
Definition of Japanese
1a
: a native or inhabitant of Japan
b
: a person of Japanese descent
2
: the language of the Japanese
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about Japanese
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
17 English Words that Come From Japanese
17 English Words that Come From Japanese
Some borrowed words don't get returned
Dictionary Entries near Japanese
Statistics for Japanese
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for Japanese
The first known use of Japanese was in 1613
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for Japanese
Japanese
noun
English Language Learners Definition of Japanese
: the people of Japan : Japanese people
: the language of the Japanese
See the full definition for Japanese in the English Language Learners Dictionary
Japanese
adjective
Jap·a·nese
| \ ˌja-pə-ˈnēz
\
\
Kids Definition of Japanese
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of or relating to Japan, its people, or the Japanese language
Japanese
noun
plural Japanese
Kids Definition of Japanese (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: a person born or living in Japan
2
: the language of the Japanese
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on Japanese
What made you want to look up Japanese? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
What's that Smell?! Quiz
-
- Someone who is hircine smells like a:
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Share Japanese
Resources for Japanese