Asiatic

adjective

Asi·​at·​ic ˌā-zhē-ˈa-tik How to pronounce Asiatic (audio)
-zē-
sometimes offensive
: asian
Asiatic noun sometimes offensive
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.

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Asiatic was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near Asiatic

Cite this Entry

“Asiatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Asiatic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Asiatic

adjective
Asi·​at·​ic ˌā-zhē-ˈat-ik How to pronounce Asiatic (audio)
-zē-
sometimes offensive
: asian
Asiatic noun sometimes offensive
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