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.
Putting the 30-year-old South Korean in the lineup at this juncture is a massive detriment to the team’s offense. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 19 June 2026 Nearby, a former Korean Air vessel’s nose cone had been removed clean, as if seared off with a hot knife. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 The film stars Korean star Hwang Jung-min (Deliver Us from Evil), Zo In-sung (Moving), Hoyeon (Squid Game), Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs), Taylor Russell (Bones and All) and Cameron Britton (Umbrella Academy). — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026 North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said the tests lasted three days starting Monday and also included demonstrations of anti-aircraft weapons, purported electromagnetic weapons systems and carbon-fiber bombs. — CNN Money, 9 Apr. 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 4 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: a person born or living in Korea
2
: the language of the Korean people
Korean adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Korean

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