Julian

¹ American  

[jool-yuhn] / ˈdʒul yən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Julius Caesar.

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Julian ² American  

[jool-yuhn] / ˈdʒul yən /

noun

1. Flavius Claudius Julianusthe Apostate, a.d. 331–363, Roman emperor 361–363.

2. a male given name, form of Julius.

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Julian ¹ British  

/ ˈdʒuːljən, -lɪən /

noun

1. known as Julian the Apostate ; Latin name Flavius Claudius Julianus. 331–363 _ad , Roman emperor (361–363), who attempted to revive paganism in the Roman empire while remaining tolerant to Christians and Jews

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Julian ² British  

/ ˈdʒuːljən, -lɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Julius Caesar

2. denoting or relating to the Julian calendar

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Julian Scientific  

/ jo̅o̅l′yən /

1. American physician noted for developing cortisone and also physostigmine, a drug used to treat glaucoma and memory loss.

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Etymology

Origin of Julian

1585–95; < Latin Jūliānus, equivalent to Jūli(us) Julius + -ānus -an

Example Sentences

“My connection with Julian is that he’s a showoff,” McKellen says.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Rev. Julian DeShazier recounts a very different experience from Courtney Reid’s.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Julian Pavia, Weir’s longtime editor at Ballantine, described the author as a “genuine science-fiction writer” engaged in actual problem solving.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Julian Barnes, a Times reporter, in a sworn declaration, noted that reporters were unable to access the new press facility on foot and were also not allowed to use a Pentagon shuttle bus.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Julian and he were talking—in jocular, mocking, pedantic Latin—like a couple of priests tidying the vestry before a mass.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt