adj

Victorian

vihk-TAW-rih-uhn

adj

Belonging to the reign of Britain's Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901), or to that era in general.

"The house has beautiful Victorian ironwork on the porch."

"She's writing her thesis on Victorian attitudes to childhood."

Old-fashioned or strictly moral in a way associated with that period; prudish or conservative.

"His Victorian views on dating seemed hopelessly out of touch."

"The school still enforces some rather Victorian rules about uniform."

noun

A person who lived during the reign of Queen Victoria, or a piece of furniture or architecture from that period.

"The museum has a room furnished entirely with Victorians."

"Dickens is probably the most-read of all the Victorians."

How to Use Victorian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to Britain in the 1800s under Queen Victoria — or, informally, old-fashioned and a bit strait-laced.

Common mistake

Capitalize it when referring to the historical period or place (Victorian England); the informal "prudish" sense is often used more loosely and doesn't need capitalizing.

Common pairings

Victorian era Victorian architecture Victorian values strictly Victorian

Word Forms

more Victorian comparative, Victorians plural, Victorians plural, Victorians plural, most Victorian superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “Victorian” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The house has beautiful _____ ironwork on the porch.

Etymology

From the name of Queen Victoria (1819 to 1901) plus the ending "-an," which turns a name into an adjective — the same pattern as "Elizabethan" or "Edwardian."

Rhymes for Victorian

Ian Xian tian sian Qian Lian Jian Asian avian Brian stian Fabian

See all rhymes for Victorian →