Australian

[aw-streyl-yuhn]

adjective

1. of or relating to Australia, its inhabitants, or their languages.

2. Zoogeography.,  belonging to a geographical division comprising Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Sulawesi, the Moluccas, Papua New Guinea, and adjacent smaller islands.

3. Phytogeography.,  belonging or pertaining to a geographical division comprising Australia and Tasmania.

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Australia.

2. an Aboriginal inhabitant of Australia.

3. Also called Australian Aboriginal languages. the group of languages of the Aborigines of Australia, consisting of about three hundred languages. Austral, Austral.

Other Word Forms

• anti-Australian adjective
• pro-Australian adjective
• pseudo-Australian adjective
• trans-Australian adjective
• un-Australian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Australian¹

First recorded in 1690–70 Australian for def. 5; Australi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

Australian airline Qantas said Sunday that data from 5.7 million customers stolen in a major cyberattack this year had been shared online, part of a leak reportedly involving dozens of firms.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the country’s investment plans.

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Australian media have reported pace bowler Cummins will miss the first Test because of a back injury and could be forced out of the entire series.

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Global efforts to limit potential harm to children include an upcoming Australian ban on social media for under-16s.

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Dr. Andrew Hosie, Curator of Aquatic Zoology at the Western Australian Museum, participated in describing this newly identified crab species.

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