Korean

noun

Ko·​re·​an kə-ˈrē-ən How to pronounce Korean (audio)
especially Southern (ˌ)kō-
1
: a native or inhabitant of Korea
2
: the language of the Korean people
Korean adjective

Examples of Korean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After serving in World War II and the Korean War, Jim Rush worked 31 years at the local post office. Sydney Page The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026 For Many Korean Creators, Hollywood Was Already Home Part of what has made K-culture’s American breakthrough so seamless is that so much of it is now made by Americans — Korean Americans who grew up with a foot in both worlds and the instincts to navigate between them. Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026 Many also sing in Korean as well as English and Japanese. Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 The top three alternative languages that voters requested materials in were Spanish, Chinese and Korean. Linh Tat, Daily News, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Korean

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Korean was in 1600

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Korean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Korean. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

Korean

noun
Ko·​re·​an kə-ˈrē-ən How to pronounce Korean (audio)
1
: a person born or living in Korea
2
: the language of the Korean people
Korean adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Korean

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster