South Asian

1 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of South Asia (a region of indefinite boundaries usually thought of as including all or some of the following countries: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives) or its people

South Asian

2 of 2

noun

plural South Asians
1
: a native or inhabitant of South Asia
2
: a person of South Asian descent

Examples of South Asian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
The nonprofit has championed South Asian voices in film, art and storytelling since 2002, giving a platform to work on subjects such as caste, gender and sexuality. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 Tesla, which was launched last year in the South Asian country, has received an underwhelming response, with the company reportedly selling just a little over 1,000 cars since launch. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Whether one or both of Becerra’s parents qualifies as an immigrant might seem like minutiae to most voters, but Hilton’s accusation has thumped on the nerves on both the left and right — including my own, as the daughter of a South Asian immigrant. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Sometimes, that’s a big yay, as with the South Asian lentil dumplings called faraa, which wallow in a luscious coconut cream with fresh chanterelles that’s like carbonara for vegans. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for South Asian

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1821, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of South Asian was in 1821

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Cite this Entry

“South Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/South%20Asian. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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