adj Uncommon

Caucasian

kaw-KAY-zhuhn

Quiz me More like this

Caucasian (adj) means relating to people classified by an older racial system as white or of European descent. Example: “The form asked applicants to select their ethnicity, including Caucasian.”

adj

Relating to people classified by an older racial system as white or of European descent.

"The form asked applicants to select their ethnicity, including Caucasian."

Relating to the Caucasus region and its peoples or languages.

"Georgian and Chechen are both Caucasian languages."

noun

A white person, per the older racial classification.

"The study compared health outcomes between Caucasians and other groups."

How to use Caucasian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost commonly used today as a formal or clinical synonym for "white" (as a racial category); more literally, it refers to the actual Caucasus region and its peoples.

When to use it

Many style guides now prefer "white" over "Caucasian" in general writing, reserving "Caucasian" for its original geographic sense.

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like Caucasian.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Caucasians
Comparative: more Caucasian
Superlative: most Caucasian

Test yourself on “Caucasian” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The form asked applicants to select their ethnicity, including _____.

Etymology

From Caucasus, the mountain range, + -ian. The racial-classification sense was popularized in the 1790s by the German scientist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, who mistakenly believed the first humans originated there — the theory itself is no longer considered scientifically valid.

Origin: German · First attested 1790

Class of 1790 Caucasian joined the language around 1790.

boomerang cheque nitrogen phobia terrorist

See the full Class of 1790 →

Synonyms

View more →

White Caucasic Caucasoid

Related words

white black light blank cocaine snowy tweed flannel

Rhymes for Caucasian

Asian radian Fabian Indian Syrian simian median Italian Russian Persian Serbian Latvian

See all rhymes for Caucasian →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Caucasian” mean?

The word “Caucasian” means relating to people classified by an older racial system as white or of European descent. In plain terms, most commonly used today as a formal or clinical synonym for "white" (as a racial category); more literally, it refers to the actual Caucasus region and its peoples.

How do you pronounce “Caucasian”?

“Caucasian” is pronounced kaw-KAY-zhuhn (/kɔˈkeɪ.ʒən/ in IPA).

How do you use “Caucasian” in a sentence?

Here is “Caucasian” used in a sentence: “The form asked applicants to select their ethnicity, including Caucasian.”

What part of speech is “Caucasian”?

Depending on how it is used, “Caucasian” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “Caucasian” come from?

The word “Caucasian” dates back to around 1790 and comes from German.

Is “Caucasian” a common word?

“Caucasian” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Caucasian” have?

“Caucasian” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to people classified by an older racial system as white or of European descent.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include Caucasian:

Words with German origins

People also searched

white black light blank cocaine snowy tweed flannel