Victorian

1 of 4

adjective (1)

Vic·​to·​ri·​an vik-ˈtȯr-ē-ən 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the reign of Queen Victoria of England or the art, letters, or tastes of her time

2

: typical of the moral standards, attitudes, or conduct of the age of Victoria especially when considered stuffy, prudish, or hypocritical

Victorian

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noun (1)

1

: a person living during Queen Victoria's reign

especially : a representative figure of that time

2

: a typically large and ornate house built during Queen Victoria's reign

Victorian

3 of 4

adjective (2)

: of or relating to Victoria

It looks very much like only one Victorian team will have a chance to push into the top four …

—Roy Ward

Victorian

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural Victorians

: a native or inhabitant of Victoria

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• puritanical

Examples of Victorian in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

My parents have very Victorian attitudes when it comes to sex.

a conservative Christian sect with a code of sexual morality that is often seen as quaintly Victorian by outsiders

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This West Indian island, claimed by the British Crown in 1624, echoes its historic past through Victorian architecture faced in coral stone. —Kathleen Turner, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025

The Sherlock Holmes series adds a touch of Victorian charm with rich wood paneling, brass accents, and cozy reading nooks perfect for sleuthing through your own novels. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025

Noun

Johnson wore the Emerald Victorian Slider Necklace from Ophelia Eve ($10,430) and Sophie Billie Brahe's Collier De Amis necklace ($123,858), according to InStyle. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Bleecker Street has acquired the U.S. rights to the psychological horror-thriller Victorian Psycho, directed by Zachary Wigon and starring Maika Monroe, Jason Isaacs and Thomasin McKenzie. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

circa 1865, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1862, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Victorian

• post-Victorian

Rhymes for Victorian

• gregorian
• historian
• nestorian
• praetorian
• stentorian
• chorion
• corean
• dorian
• mauryan
• saurian
• pythagorean
• valedictorian

Kids Definition

Victorian

adjective

Vic·​to·​ri·​an

vik-ˈtōr-ē-ən,

-ˈtȯr-

: of, relating to, or typical of the reign of Queen Victoria of England or of the literature, art, and tastes of her time