adj
Uncommon
Mayan
MEYE-uhn
Mayan (adj) means relating to the Maya people, their civilisation, or their languages. Example: “The site contains Mayan pyramids dating back over a thousand years.”
adj
1
Relating to the Maya people, their civilisation, or their languages.
"The site contains Mayan pyramids dating back over a thousand years."
"She's studying Mayan hieroglyphics for her thesis."
noun
1
The family of related languages spoken by Maya peoples across Mexico and Central America.
"Mayan includes languages such as Yucatec, Quiché, and Tzotzil."
"He's learning Mayan to help translate old inscriptions."
How to use Mayan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe adjective for anything belonging to the Maya, or the name for their language family.
Common mistake
Maya is the people/civilisation; Mayan is generally reserved for the languages and used as the adjective.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Mayan.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- Mayans
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The site contains _____ pyramids dating back over a thousand years.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Mayan
See all rhymes for Mayan →Frequently asked questions
What does “Mayan” mean?
The word “Mayan” means relating to the Maya people, their civilisation, or their languages. In plain terms, the adjective for anything belonging to the Maya, or the name for their language family.
How do you pronounce “Mayan”?
“Mayan” is pronounced MEYE-uhn (/ˈmaɪən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Mayan” in a sentence?
Here is “Mayan” used in a sentence: “The site contains Mayan pyramids dating back over a thousand years.”
What part of speech is “Mayan”?
Depending on how it is used, “Mayan” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “Mayan” a common word?
“Mayan” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Mayan” have?
“Mayan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the Maya people, their civilisation, or their languages.
