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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.
At a recent defense expo outside Seoul, the defense arm of Korean Air – yes, South Korea’s largest passenger airline – showed off a line of drones, everything from human-sized loitering munitions to a loyal wingman of its own. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025 Among the attendees was Max Gurney, a 104-year-old Normandy WWII veteran, and several Korean War and Vietnam veterans. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025 And South Korean offer a variety of rooms and experiences centered around relaxation and healing. Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025 He is best known for his minimal paintings, featuring fields of brushstrokes inspired by the Korean Dansaekhwa (monochrome painting) movement, and for his powerful sculptures incorporating stones and iron plates. News Desk, Artforum, 26 Nov. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Korean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Korean. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

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
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