Libyan

American  

[lib-ee-uhn] / ˈlɪb i ən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Libya or its inhabitants.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Libya.

2. a Berber language of ancient Libya.

libyan British  

/ ˈlɪbɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Libya, its people, or its language

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Libya

2. the extinct Hamitic language of ancient Libya

Other Word Forms

• anti-Libyan adjective
• pro-Libyan adjective
• trans-Libyan adjective

Etymology

Origin of Libyan

First recorded in 1535–45; Liby(a) + -an

Example Sentences

A Libyan captain on a nearby ship was calling to ask if he understood the new rules governing a waterway that transports around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

According to Italy's Civil Protection Department, the carrier is located in international waters, but within the Libyan search and rescue zone.

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

Moammar Gadhafi, the Libyan dictator, agreed in 2004 to turn over his nuclear-bomb-making material, Phoenix Air was sent to Tripoli to retrieve it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

A Russian tanker that was badly damaged in an attack in the Mediterranean last week is drifting without crew towards the Libyan coast, Italy's civil protection service said on Friday.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Soon the room was piled with goatskin rugs from Lebanon, richly embroidered blankets from Arabia, Libyan tapestries, and swords from Toledo crossed over a coat of arms.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy