adj
Common
Iranian
ih-RAY-nee-uhn
Iranian (adj) means relating to Iran, its people, or its culture. Example: “She grew up eating Iranian food like tahdig and saffron rice.”
adj
1
Relating to Iran, its people, or its culture.
"She grew up eating Iranian food like tahdig and saffron rice."
"The film won awards at several Iranian cinema festivals."
noun
1
A person from Iran, or a member of the broader Iranian ethnolinguistic family.
"Many Iranians living abroad still celebrate Nowruz, the Persian new year."
How to use Iranian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOf or from Iran.
Common pairings
Iranian cuisine
Iranian government
Iranian-American
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Word forms
- Plural
- Iranians
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She grew up eating _____ food like tahdig and saffron rice.
Etymology
Formed from Iran plus the suffix "-ian."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Iranian
See all rhymes for Iranian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Iranian” mean?
The word “Iranian” means relating to Iran, its people, or its culture. In plain terms, of or from Iran.
How do you pronounce “Iranian”?
“Iranian” is pronounced ih-RAY-nee-uhn (/ɪˈɹeɪni.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Iranian” in a sentence?
Here is “Iranian” used in a sentence: “She grew up eating Iranian food like tahdig and saffron rice.”
What part of speech is “Iranian”?
Depending on how it is used, “Iranian” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “Iranian” a common word?
“Iranian” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Iranian” have?
“Iranian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Iran, its people, or its culture.
What is the difference between "Iranian" and "Persian"?
"Iranian" relates to the country of Iran and all its people and cultures, and is also used for the broader Iranian ethnolinguistic family. "Persian" more specifically names one major ethnic group and the Persian language, so all Persians are Iranian, but not every Iranian is ethnically Persian.
Should "Iranian" always be capitalised?
Yes. Because it derives from the country name Iran, "Iranian" is a proper adjective and noun that is always written with a capital I, whether describing the culture or a person.
Can "Iranian" be both a noun and an adjective?
Yes. As an adjective, "Iranian" describes something relating to Iran, as in "Iranian cuisine." As a noun, it names a person from Iran or a member of the broader Iranian ethnolinguistic family, as in "she is an Iranian."
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