Victorian

1 of 4

adjective (1)

Vic·​to·​ri·​an vik-ˈtȯr-ē-ən 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the reign of Queen Victoria of England or the art, letters, or tastes of her time

2

: typical of the moral standards, attitudes, or conduct of the age of Victoria especially when considered stuffy, prudish, or hypocritical

Victorian

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: a person living during Queen Victoria's reign

especially : a representative figure of that time

2

: a typically large and ornate house built during Queen Victoria's reign

Victorian

3 of 4

adjective (2)

: of or relating to Victoria

It looks very much like only one Victorian team will have a chance to push into the top four …

—Roy Ward

Victorian

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural Victorians

: a native or inhabitant of Victoria

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• bluenosed
• nice-nelly
• prim
• prudish
• puritanical
• straitlaced
• straightlaced

Examples of Victorian in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

My parents have very Victorian attitudes when it comes to sex.

a conservative Christian sect with a code of sexual morality that is often seen as quaintly Victorian by outsiders

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

What works for a seafront villa in a warm climate won’t necessarily work for a rustic barn-style home in the woods, a suburban Victorian, or a townhouse in the city. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024

Built in 1890 as a private estate, the boutique hotel pays homage to its Victorian roots with original wood panelling and stained glass windows. —Anna Haines, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

Tastings at the Victorian Rhine House mansion include the Collectors’ Experience, featuring rare library vintages of the iconic Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and the Taste of Beringer seasonal culinary and wine pairing adventure. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024

Where traditional vintage decor schemes focus on re-creating a specific era like Victorian or midcentury, vintage eclectic pulls from any time the decorator finds interesting. —Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

circa 1865, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1862, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Victorian

• post-Victorian

Kids Definition

Victorian

adjective

Vic·​to·​ri·​an

vik-ˈtōr-ē-ən,

-ˈtȯr-

: of, relating to, or typical of the reign of Queen Victoria of England or of the literature, art, and tastes of her time