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

Oh adds the notion of subsuming Asian-American characters into mainstream white storytelling, or leaving them out as too risky, is hopefully over. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

The brown bear population has doubled in three decades and now stands at around 12,000, while the number of Asian black bears has climbed on the main Honshu island, reaching 42,000, according to a 2025 government report. —CBS News, 8 May 2026

Noun

But Thomas Kellogg, executive director of Georgetown Center for Asian Law, said both Beijing and Washington have incentives to make a deal. —ABC News, 9 May 2026

Take your pick of indie dining options, all within a short stroll of the beach, including Hawkers Asian Street Food, Salmumeria 104, and Le Petit Paris. —Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 9 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