Oriental

The word “Oriental” means relating to East Asia or, historically, the broader region east of Europe. In plain terms, a term for things from East Asia, though it has fallen out of favor as a term for people and is now considered outdated or offensive in that use.

“Oriental” is pronounced aw-ree-EHN-tuhl (/ɔːɹiˈɛntəl/ in IPA).

Here is “Oriental” used in a sentence: “The museum has a large collection of oriental ceramics.”

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

The word “Oriental” comes from Latin. From Latin orientalis, "eastern," from oriens, "rising sun" — built on the same root as "orient.".

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

“Oriental” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to East Asia or, historically, the broader region east of Europe.

The adjective Oriental historically referred to East Asia or, more broadly, the region east of Europe, but its use to describe people has become dated and is now widely considered outdated or offensive in many English-speaking countries. More specific terms, such as "Asian" or a particular nationality, are generally preferred when referring to people.

Oriental historically described anything relating to East Asia or the broader region east of Europe, while "Asian" is the more current, neutral term covering the same geographic area. "Oriental" has largely fallen out of use for describing people, though it can still appear in older or specialized contexts, such as describing objects or gems.

When describing a pearl, Oriental refers to a gem prized for its exceptional shine, historically associated with pearls sourced from waters near East Asia and the Persian Gulf. This usage is a specialized, older sense distinct from the geographic adjective.