adj
Uncommon
Martian
MAH-shuhn
Martian (adj) means relating to the planet Mars or to imagined life on it. Example: “The rover sent back images of the martian surface.”
adj
1
Relating to the planet Mars or to imagined life on it.
"The rover sent back images of the martian surface."
"Close to the border with Eritrea, its ethereal, Martian landscape sits within the Danakil Depression."
— Joe Minihane, 24 of the world’s most unusual landscapes (2025)
noun
1
An imagined inhabitant of Mars, especially in science fiction.
"The film features an invasion of hostile Martians."
How to use Martian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to Mars — the planet itself, or a fictional alien from it.
Common pairings
martian landscape
martian invasion
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Word forms
- Plural
- Martians
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rover sent back images of the _____ surface.
Etymology
From Latin Martius, "of Mars," the Roman god of war after whom the red planet was named.
Rhymes for Martian
See all rhymes for Martian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Martian” mean?
The word “Martian” means relating to the planet Mars or to imagined life on it. In plain terms, relating to Mars — the planet itself, or a fictional alien from it.
How do you pronounce “Martian”?
“Martian” is pronounced MAH-shuhn (/ˈmɑɹʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Martian” in a sentence?
Here is “Martian” used in a sentence: “The rover sent back images of the martian surface.”
What part of speech is “Martian”?
Depending on how it is used, “Martian” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Martian” come from?
The word “Martian” comes from Latin. From Latin Martius, "of Mars," the Roman god of war after whom the red planet was named.
Is “Martian” a common word?
“Martian” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Martian” have?
“Martian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the planet Mars or to imagined life on it.
