Asian

1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-zhən 

also -shən

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the continent of Asia or its people

Asian vs. Asiatic: Usage Guide

Asian is now solidly preferred to Asiatic; the latter persists mainly in the names of some kinds of flora and fauna.

an Asiatic lily

the Asiatic elephant

Asiatic still has some use as a geographical designator

the Asiatic side of the Bosporus

but has increasingly been considered offensive, especially as associated with the policies of colonialism.

Asian

2 of 2

noun

1

: a native or inhabitant of Asia

2

: a person of Asian descent

Examples of Asian in a Sentence

Noun

There are many Asians living in South America.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Asian stock markets began Friday with sharp drops because of losses for AI winners. — Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

Seoul / BeijingReuters — As Europe sweats through record-breaking temperatures, Asian makers of air conditioners, like South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, China’s Midea and Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric, are enjoying a boom in sales. — CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Noun

Last year, Uzbekistan qualified for the Women's Asian Cup for the first time in over two decades. — Charles Maynes, NPR, 27 June 2026

Timid Magazine, which focuses on Asian Pacifics in entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, and pop culture, worked closely with LACMA and with those in the entertainment industry to bring the event to life. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1550, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Asian

• anti-Asian
• Asian American
• Asian carp
• Asian citrus psyllid
• Asian elephant
• Asian flu
• Asian giant hornet
• Asian hornet
• Asian influenza
• Asian longhorn beetle
• Asian longhorned beetle
• Asian pear
• Asian tiger mosquito
• East Asian
• South Asian
• Southeast Asian

Rhymes for Asian

• suasion
• abrasion
• caucasian
• equation
• eurasian
• evasion
• invasion
• occasion
• persuasion
• athanasian

Kids Definition

Asian

adjective

ˈā-zhən, 

ˈā-shən

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Asia or its people

Asian noun