oceanic

adjective

oce·​an·​ic ˌō-shē-ˈa-nik 

1

a

: of or relating to the ocean

b

: occurring in or frequenting the ocean and especially the open sea as distinguished from littoral or neritic waters

2

: vast, great

3

Oceanic linguistics : relating to, belonging to, or characterizing a subfamily of the Austronesian family of languages that is spoken in Polynesia and most of the islands of Melanesia and Micronesia

Synonyms

• marine
• maritime
• pelagic

Examples of oceanic in a Sentence

the theory that ancient mariners took advantage of oceanic currents to roam the seas on primitive rafts

during his solo crossing of the Atlantic he managed to avoid the fierce oceanic storms that rage in those tropical latitudes

Recent Examples on the Web

Vanilla lovers won’t be able to get enough of the scent that features two variations of it—vanilla duo and vanilla orchid—along with an oceanic accord. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

With its stone bar, lush greenery and oceanic libations, the space aims to whisk guests away to an oceanfront vacation. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 18 Dec. 2024

The flower acids and oceanic exfoliants promote cell renewal, minimize pores, and smooth dull, uneven skin. —Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024

But that comeback is happening amid other oceanic changes, Mr. Cheeseman added. —Alexandra E. Petri, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin Ōceanicus, from Ōceanus "the sea flowing around the land mass of the known world, ocean" + -icus -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing oceanic

• inter-oceanic
• oceanic whitetip
• oceanic white-tipped shark
• oceanic whitetip shark