Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Nordic

adjective
Save Word
Nor·​dic | \ ˈnȯr-dik How to pronounce Nordic (audio) \

Definition of Nordic

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of or relating to the Germanic peoples of northern Europe and especially of Scandinavia
2 : of or relating to a group or physical type of the Caucasian race characterized by tall stature, long head, light skin and hair, and blue eyes
3a : of or relating to competitive ski events involving cross-country racing, ski jumping, or biathlon — compare alpine
b : of, relating to, or being cross-country skiing

Nordic

noun

Definition of Nordic (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a native of northern Europe
2 : a person of Nordic physical type
3 : a member of the peoples of Scandinavia

First Known Use of Nordic

Adjective

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for Nordic

Adjective

French nordique, from nord north, from Old French north, from Old English

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Nordic

Statistics for Nordic

Time Traveler for Nordic

The first known use of Nordic was in 1824

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for Nordic

Nordic

adjective
How to pronounce Nordic (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of Nordic

: of or relating to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and sometimes Finland and Iceland, or to the people who live there

See the full definition for Nordic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on Nordic

Spanish Central: Translation of Nordic

Nglish: Translation of Nordic for Spanish Speakers

Comments on Nordic

What made you want to look up Nordic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

mot juste

Listen to the pronounciation of mot juste

the exactly right word or phrasing

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz

  • rotelle pasta
  • Match the pasta to its meaning in English: Rotelle
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games