barbarian
13 synonyms and 2 antonyms for barbarian, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Historically, someone from outside Greek or Roman civilization, viewed by the Greeks and Romans as uncivilized.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Historically, someone from outside Greek or Roman civilization, viewed by the Greeks and Romans as uncivilized.
“Roman writers described the invading tribes as barbarians.”
Etymology
From Greek barbaros ("foreign, non-Greek"), possibly imitating the sound of unfamiliar languages — much like the English phrase "blah blah blah."
Full origin of barbarian →Frequently asked questions
What does “barbarian” mean?
The word “barbarian” means historically, someone from outside Greek or Roman civilization, viewed by the Greeks and Romans as uncivilized. In plain terms, originally meant "foreigner" from a Greek or Roman point of view; now generally means someone crude, uncultured, or savagely violent.
How do you pronounce “barbarian”?
“Barbarian” is pronounced bah-BEH-uh-ree-uhn (/bɑɹˈbɛəɹ.i.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “barbarian” in a sentence?
Here is “barbarian” used in a sentence: “Roman writers described the invading tribes as barbarians.”
What is another word for “barbarian”?
Words with a similar meaning to “barbarian” include outlander and peregrine.
What part of speech is “barbarian”?
Depending on how it is used, “barbarian” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “barbarian” come from?
The word “barbarian” comes from Greek. From Greek barbaros ("foreign, non-Greek"), possibly imitating the sound of unfamiliar languages — much like the English phrase "blah blah blah.".
Is “barbarian” a common word?
“Barbarian” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “barbarian” have?
“Barbarian” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: historically, someone from outside Greek or Roman civilization, viewed by the Greeks and Romans as uncivilized.
