: of, relating to, or characteristic of South Asia (a region of indefinite boundaries usually thought of as including all or some of the following countries: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives) or its people
plural South Asians
1
: a native or inhabitant of South Asia
2
: a person of South Asian descent
Examples of South Asian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
The pair are expected to become the youngest South Asian women who have traveled to space, according to Virgin Galactic.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 June 2026
In doing so, Ali and Shaikh became the first two South Asian actors to make the show’s celebrity cameo appearance together.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 June 2026
This restaurant, like so many recent high-profile openings, is part of the genuinely thrilling wave of South Asian restaurants arguing for regional precision, pushing back against decades of commodity Indian cuisine, the culture- and geography-flattening tikka masalas and garlic naans.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Here a 'Vogue Audrey' mandevilla takes center stage among 'Baby Tut' dwarf papyrus, a South Asian elephant ear plant, and a South American 'Blackie' sweet potato vine.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Kumar grew up in Singapore and later trained in Mexican cuisine under Rick Bayless, while Mohajir was born in India, raised in Qatar and built his career in Chicago’s South Asian dining scene.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
For millions of South Asian, Black American, Persian, Latino, West and East African, and European Muslims, the app bridges the linguistic gap.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 26 May 2026
Like its South Asian cohort Bangladesh, apparel and textiles are Sri Lanka’s top export, representing 44 percent of goods shipped out of the country.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
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Adjective
March 13, 2026 For Gen Z neophytes and hardcore fans overseas (South Asian and Nigerian Mike zealots apparently have a lot to say on the matter), the idea of MJ/Prince ever being a rivalry is laughable.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
The pair are expected to become the youngest South Asian women who have traveled to space, according to Virgin Galactic.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 June 2026
In doing so, Ali and Shaikh became the first two South Asian actors to make the show’s celebrity cameo appearance together.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 June 2026
This restaurant, like so many recent high-profile openings, is part of the genuinely thrilling wave of South Asian restaurants arguing for regional precision, pushing back against decades of commodity Indian cuisine, the culture- and geography-flattening tikka masalas and garlic naans.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
Here a 'Vogue Audrey' mandevilla takes center stage among 'Baby Tut' dwarf papyrus, a South Asian elephant ear plant, and a South American 'Blackie' sweet potato vine.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Kumar grew up in Singapore and later trained in Mexican cuisine under Rick Bayless, while Mohajir was born in India, raised in Qatar and built his career in Chicago’s South Asian dining scene.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
For millions of South Asian, Black American, Persian, Latino, West and East African, and European Muslims, the app bridges the linguistic gap.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 26 May 2026
Like its South Asian cohort Bangladesh, apparel and textiles are Sri Lanka’s top export, representing 44 percent of goods shipped out of the country.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“South Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/South%20Asian. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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