Asiatic

American  

[ey-zhee-at-ik, ey-shee-, ey-zee-] / ˌeɪ ʒiˈæt ɪk, ˌeɪ ʃi-, ˌeɪ zi- /

adjective

1. Asian.

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noun

Usually Offensive.

1. an Asian person.

Asiatic British  

/ ˌeɪʃɪˈætɪk, -zɪ- /

noun

1. a word formerly used for Asian

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Sensitive Note

See Asian.

Usage

Asiatic is the correct word to use in scientific language when talking about flora, fauna and anthropology, for instance Asiatic lion . Using it as a noun is offensive and old-fashioned

Other Word Forms

• anti-Asiatic adjective
• half-Asiatic adjective
• non-Asiatic adjective
• pro-Asiatic adjective
• trans-Asiatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Asiatic

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin Asiāticus, from Greek Asiātikos; Asia, -tic ( def. )

Example Sentences

Indeed, as one Royal Asiatic Society lecturer quipped:

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025

Last March, a female Asiatic cheetah, dubbed Majrad by scientists, was killed by a car in Iran’s Semnan province.

From Slate • May 25, 2024

The jailings prompted a massive outcry from conservationists, academics, and political leaders urging Iran to release the conservationists, who were working to protect endangered species such as the Asiatic cheetah.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 10, 2024

Asiatic proximity isn’t just token aesthetics, but a meaningful lesson and layer to the show.

From Salon • Mar. 3, 2024

She looked up at a broad Asiatic face, under a wolverine hood, lit by flickering lamplight.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman