European

American  

[yoor-uh-pee-uhn, yur-] / ˌyʊər əˈpi ən, ˌyɜr- /

adjective

1. of or relating to Europe or its inhabitants.

2. native to or derived from Europe.

   traditional European customs; European languages.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Europe.

2. a person of European descent.

3. (in East Africa and Asia) a white person; Caucasian.

European British  

/ ˌjʊərəˈpɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Europe or its inhabitants

2. native to or derived from Europe

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Europe

2. a person of European descent

3. a supporter of the European Union or of political union of the countries of Europe or a part of it

Other Word Forms

• Europeanism noun
• Europeanly adverb
• anti-European adjective
• inter-European adjective
• non-European adjective
• pro-European adjective
• pseudo-European adjective
• un-European adjective

Etymology

Origin of European

1595–1605; < Latin Eurōpae(us) ( Europe, -eous ) + -an

Example Sentences

"We're in a state of hallucination," says Éva Bognár, a researcher at the Central European University's Democracy Institute.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The European Union is now a net exporter of petrol, mainly to the United States and Africa, but an importer of diesel.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

The 27-country European Union is the U.S.’s biggest partner for trade and investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Colonial-era urban elites in Calcutta, influenced by European tastes, often dismissed jatra as rustic or unsophisticated.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

You recall your name perfectly well, know what year it is, and can correctly identify the capitals of at least a few midsized European nations.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood