Washingtonian

American  

[wosh-ing-toh-nee-uhn, waw-shing-] / ˌwɒʃ ɪŋˈtoʊ ni ən, ˌwɔ ʃɪŋ- /

adjective

1. living in or coming from Washington, D.C., or the state of Washington.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Washington, D.C., or the state of Washington.

Washingtonian British  

/ ˌwɒʃɪŋˈtəʊnɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the city or state of Washington or their inhabitants

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of the city or state of Washington

Etymology

Origin of Washingtonian

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; Washington + -ian

Example Sentences

Nourafchan, who attended high school in Los Angeles, was active in a campus group organized around Chabad, a Hasidic Jewish organization, according to a 2015 article in Washingtonian magazine.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

Worst of all, not that it’s a contest, but the Washington Post will now be a lot less Washingtonian.

From Slate • Feb. 5, 2026

I'd just seen articles from, you know, the Washington Post, or the Washingtonian or whatever that describe the dating culture in DC as really terrible.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2024

This is about ensuring that every Washingtonian has the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 17, 2024

They possess usually a kind of sobriety which may almost be called Washingtonian.

From Letters from a Father to His Son Entering College by Thwing, Charles Franklin