barbarian
noun
a person in a savage, primitive state; uncivilized person.
barbarians
-
pluralof barbarian.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The barbarians of buyouts past, it seems, are now the sought-after boyfriends of the beautiful and famous.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
The Padres, on the other hand, are the rebels who won’t surrender, the barbarians at the door trying to steal away their crown.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2025
Another meme Robinson posted said: “The barbarians are at the gate,” referring to ISIS.
From Salon ● May 15, 2024
Rainer leads the hapless dame into a sparkling cavern, where the queen of the barbarians herself, Conann, is perched on a high tower, clutching a human heart that looks more like a Christmas tree ornament.
From New York Times ● Feb. 1, 2024
It is not the case that all cultural advances in East Asia stemmed from China and that Koreans, Japanese, and tropical Southeast Asians were noninventive barbarians who contributed nothing.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
