English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

adj Common

Egyptian

ih-JIHPSHN

Egyptian (adj) means relating to Egypt, its people, or its language. Example: “She studied Egyptian history at university.”

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adj

1

Relating to Egypt, its people, or its language.

"She studied Egyptian history at university."

noun

1

A person from Egypt or of Egyptian descent.

"Many Egyptians work in tourism along the Nile."

name

1

The ancient Afroasiatic language once spoken and written in Egypt, preserved in hieroglyphic and later scripts.

"Scholars can now read Egyptian thanks to the Rosetta Stone."

How to use Egyptian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to Egypt or its people, or the ancient language of that civilization.

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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

Egyptians plural

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She studied _____ history at university.

Etymology

From Middle English Egipcien, egyptiane. Displaced Old English Egyptisċ. By surface analysis, Egypt + -ian.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for Egyptian

Asian avian Brian Fabian Indian Syrian simian median Italian Russian Persian Serbian

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Egyptian” mean?

The word “Egyptian” means relating to Egypt, its people, or its language. In plain terms, relating to Egypt or its people, or the ancient language of that civilization.

How do you pronounce “Egyptian”?

“Egyptian” is pronounced ih-JIHPSHN (/əˈd͡ʒɪpʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “Egyptian” in a sentence?

Here is “Egyptian” used in a sentence: “She studied Egyptian history at university.”

What part of speech is “Egyptian”?

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

Is “Egyptian” a common word?

“Egyptian” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Egyptian” have?

“Egyptian” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Egypt, its people, or its language.

What is the difference between "Egyptian" and "Arab"?

"Egyptian" refers specifically to people, culture, or things from Egypt, while "Arab" refers to the broader ethnic and linguistic group across the Arabic-speaking world. Most Egyptians are Arab, but not all Arabs are Egyptian.

Should "Egyptian" always be capitalized?

Yes, Egyptian is always capitalized because it derives from the proper noun Egypt. This holds true whether it is used as an adjective or as a noun.

What is the difference between "Egyptian" and "Ancient Egyptian"?

"Egyptian" generally describes modern Egypt, its people, and its language. "Ancient Egyptian" refers specifically to the civilization, language, and culture of Egypt in antiquity.

Can "Egyptian" refer to a language?

Yes, Egyptian can name the language of Egypt as well as its people and culture. In everyday modern use the spoken language is Egyptian Arabic, while "Ancient Egyptian" names the older language written in hieroglyphs.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary