oriental

1 of 2

adjective

ori·​en·​tal ˌȯr-ē-ˈen-tᵊl 

1

or Oriental : of, relating to, or situated in the Orient : eastern

2

or Oriental sometimes offensive; see usage paragraph below : of, relating to, or coming from Asia and especially eastern Asia

oriental food

oriental art

oriental medicine

3

Oriental : of, relating to, or constituting the biogeographic region that includes Asia south and southeast of the Himalayas and the Malay Archipelago west of Wallace's line

4

a

: of superior grade, luster, or value

b

: being corundum or sapphire but simulating another gem in color

orientally

ˌȯr-ē-ˈen-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Usage of Oriental

The adjective oriental, which carries strong associations with colonialism and with language that others and exoticizes, is usually considered offensive when used by non-Asian people to describe people of various Asian identities. Its use to describe elements of Asian culture

oriental music

an oriental garden

sometimes has a dated feel, but is not usually regarded as offensive.

Oriental

2 of 2

noun

plural Orientals

1

dated, usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : asian

especially : one who is a native of east Asia or is of east Asian descent

2

: oriental rug

3

: oriental shorthair

Usage of Oriental

The noun Oriental has a long history of association with colonialism and with language that others and exoticizes people of various Asian identities. While Oriental is not offensive in senses 2 and 3 above, the use of Oriental to refer to a person is usually considered offensive.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing oriental

• oriental fruit moth

Kids Definition

oriental

1 of 2 adjective

ori·​en·​tal ˌōr-ē-ˈent-ᵊl 

ˌȯr-

often capitalized

: of, relating to, or situated in Asia

orientally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Oriental

2 of 2 noun

usually offensive

: one who is a native of east Asia or is of east Asian descent