adj Common

Victorian

vihk-TAW-rih-uhn

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Victorian (adj) means belonging to the reign of Britain's Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901), or to that era in general. Example: “The house has beautiful Victorian ironwork on the porch.”

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

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Victorians
Comparative: more Victorian
Superlative: most Victorian

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."

· First attested 1819

Class of 1819 Victorian joined the language around 1819.

freelance Ivanhoe Pinkerton

See the full Class of 1819 →

Synonyms

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prudish straitlaced puritanical prim old-fashioned conservative prissy straightlaced priggish

Antonyms

modern

Related words

new present blue modern recent developed traditional historical

Rhymes for Victorian

Asian radian Fabian Indian Syrian simian median Italian Russian Persian Serbian Latvian

See all rhymes for Victorian →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Victorian” mean?

The word “Victorian” means belonging to the reign of Britain's Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901), or to that era in general. In plain terms, relating to Britain in the 1800s under Queen Victoria — or, informally, old-fashioned and a bit strait-laced.

How do you pronounce “Victorian”?

“Victorian” is pronounced vihk-TAW-rih-uhn (/vɪkˈtɔ.ɹi.ən/ in IPA).

How do you use “Victorian” in a sentence?

Here is “Victorian” used in a sentence: “The house has beautiful Victorian ironwork on the porch.”

What part of speech is “Victorian”?

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

Where does the word “Victorian” come from?

The word “Victorian” dates back to around 1819. 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.".

Is “Victorian” a common word?

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

How many meanings does “Victorian” have?

“Victorian” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to the reign of Britain's Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901), or to that era in general.

What is the difference between Victorian and Edwardian?

'Victorian' refers to the reign of Queen Victoria, from 1837 to 1901, and the culture of that era. 'Edwardian' refers to the following reign of Edward VII in the early 1900s. Victorian style is generally seen as more ornate and formal than the lighter Edwardian period that came after.

Should Victorian be written with a capital V?

Yes, when it refers to Queen Victoria's reign or that historical era, 'Victorian' is capitalised as a proper adjective. It keeps the capital even in the extended sense of old-fashioned or strictly moral, because it derives from the queen's name.

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