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• Levantine
  Levantine

  adjective

  of or relating to the Levant.
• levantine
  levantine

  adjective

  of or relating to the Levant

Levantine

American  

[lev-uhn-tahyn, -teen, li-van-tin, -tahyn] / ˈlɛv ənˌtaɪn, -ˌtin, lɪˈvæn tɪn, -taɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Levant.

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noun

1. Sometimes Offensive. a native of the Levant.

levantine ¹ British  

/ ˈlɛvənˌtaɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Levant

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noun

1. (esp formerly) an inhabitant of the Levant

levantine ² British  

/ ˈlɛvənˌtaɪn /

noun

1. a cloth of twilled silk

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Sensitive Note

The use of the word Levantine as a noun, as in the head of HR is a Levantine or Levantines are a key demographic, may sometimes be offensive when not used in self-reference.

Other Word Forms

• Levantinism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Levantine

First recorded in 1640–50; Levant + -ine ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Levantine levantine

There’s mujadara, a classic Middle Eastern and Levantine dish made with cooked lentils and rice, caramelized onions, herbs and yogurt or tahini.

From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2026

Certainly not when he serves his take on sfeeha, a traditional Levantine meat pie.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025

Prior to its excavation and analysis, there was scant evidence for human habitation along the southern Levantine coast during the 8.2ka event.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 30, 2024

Make your next weekend brunch memorable with these picks from the 101 Best Restaurants guide, including a Levantine option in Long Beach, soul food in Mid-City, modern Mexican in the Arts District and more.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2024

I was a sucker for the soft-handed Levantine affections.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Aunt Sophia in her myrtle-green levantine, seated at the marble table in the front parlour, holding in her hand an elegant book—for instance, her beautiful copy of the Pleasures of Hope.

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Leslie, Eliza

I am going into Second street; shall I look among the best stores for some black levantine? or would you rather have mode?

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Leslie, Eliza

Oh, when I wear my dark blue levantine silk gown, I flatter myself I do look like somebody!

From The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 3 of 6 by Sue, Eugène

But many very genteel people wear black levantine or black mode trimmed with crape.

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Leslie, Eliza

The tie of a small apron of dark green levantine formed a girdle around a waist which might have been spanned by the ten fingers.

From The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 2 of 6 by Sue, Eugène