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

The surge in gray divorces is also often driven by women – who have long faced restrictive gender norms in conservative Asian societies, as well as legal, financial, and social barriers to seeking divorce. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

This Asian shrub fits easily into gardens, with a dense, compact habit and clusters of tiny pink or white flowers in late spring or summer. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Noun

In three high-profile cases that resulted in criminal convictions—in Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford—the majority of the men involved were South Asian. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026

Coal Is Increasingly an Asian Fuel The most striking feature of the coal market is its geographic concentration. — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 26 July 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