Scandinavian

American  

[skan-duh-ney-vee-uhn] / ˌskæn dəˈneɪ vi ən /

adjective

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

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Scandinavia.

2. the group of languages composed of Danish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Old Norse, Swedish, and the language of the Faeroe Islands; North Germanic. Scand, Scand.

scandinavian British  

/ ˌskændɪˈneɪvɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Scandinavia, its inhabitants, or their languages

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Scandinavia

2. Also: Norse.  the northern group of Germanic languages, consisting of Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Faeroese

Other Word Forms

• anti-Scandinavian adjective
• non-Scandinavian adjective
• pro-Scandinavian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Scandinavian

First recorded in 1775–85; Scandinavi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

The Scandinavian aesthetic is “serene and cerebral,” as Leah Talactac, who is both president and CFO, describes it.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

My team that I supported was Manchester United—they have the Scandinavian connection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Among European airlines, Air France-KLM has said it plans to increase long-haul fares to counter higher fuel costs, while Scandinavian carrier SAS has raised prices and said it will cut 1,000 flights in April.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

In 1997, however, the concept found immediate success in Sweden with “Expedition Robinson,” leading to expansion in more Scandinavian countries.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Her name might have been English, but I had always thought she might be Dutch, or Scandinavian, or German perhaps.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo