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

Earlier in the week at the Asian soccer federation’s congress in Vancouver, Iran’s participation in the World Cup or whether the team’s matches should be moved out of the United States was not addressed. —Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

This year’s honorees were selected by a coalition of leading Asian Pacific organizations and cultural icons. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 May 2026

Noun

In 1992, Pau spent a year traveling to New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on an Asian Cultural Council grant. —Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026

Gold House will celebrate the Gold100 and give out several awards for special achievement at the Gold Gala, the definitive annual Asian Pacific cultural celebration, on May 9 in Los Angeles. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 1 May 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