adj
Very common
Indian
IHN-dih-uhn
Indian (adj) means relating to India or its people, languages, or culture. Example: “We went to an Indian restaurant for her birthday.”
adj
1
Relating to India or its people, languages, or culture.
"An IAF representative told an Indian parliamentary committee that due to the Ukraine war a “major delivery” from Moscow “is not going to take place.”"
— Rhea Mogul, Russia can’t meet India arms deliveries due to Ukraine war, Indian Air Force says (2023)
"We went to an Indian restaurant for her birthday."
2
(dated, now often considered outdated or offensive in this sense) Relating to the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
"Older textbooks sometimes used "Indian" to refer to Native American tribes."
How to use Indian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to the country India; historically also (now less commonly and often avoided) used for Native Americans.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more Indian
- Superlative
- most Indian
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We went to an _____ restaurant for her birthday.
Etymology
From Middle English Indien, from India, applied to the Americas due to Columbus's early belief he had reached the East Indies.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Indian
See all rhymes for Indian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Indian” mean?
The word “Indian” means relating to India or its people, languages, or culture. In plain terms, relating to the country India; historically also (now less commonly and often avoided) used for Native Americans.
How do you pronounce “Indian”?
“Indian” is pronounced IHN-dih-uhn (/ˈɪn.di.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Indian” in a sentence?
Here is “Indian” used in a sentence: “We went to an Indian restaurant for her birthday.”
What part of speech is “Indian”?
“Indian” is an adjective.
Where does the word “Indian” come from?
The word “Indian” comes from Middle English. From Middle English Indien, from India, applied to the Americas due to Columbus's early belief he had reached the East Indies.
Is “Indian” a common word?
“Indian” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Indian” have?
“Indian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to India or its people, languages, or culture.
What is the difference between Indian and Native American?
Indian correctly refers to people or things from India. It was also long used for the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, after Columbus mistakenly thought he had reached India. That older usage is now often considered dated or offensive; 'Native American', 'American Indian', or a specific nation's name is generally preferred today.
Is there a single Indian language?
No. India has no one national language spoken by all. Hindi and English serve official roles, but the country recognises more than twenty official languages, including Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Punjabi, alongside hundreds more. Calling a language simply 'Indian' is inaccurate, since the label covers an enormous linguistic range.
What is an example of Indian culture?
Indian culture spans festivals such as Diwali and Holi, classical dance and music, cricket, cinema from Bollywood and beyond, and a cuisine rich in spices and regional variety. Traditional dress like the sari, and religions including Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism, all shape a heritage that differs greatly from region to region.
Is 'Indian' a nationality or an ethnicity?
Primarily a nationality — an Indian is a citizen of India. It is not a single ethnicity, because India is remarkably diverse, home to countless ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. So two Indians may share citizenship while differing greatly in language, ancestry, and customs. The word describes a country of origin, not one people.
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