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

Apparently, I like “a warm Scandinavian aesthetic” and I’m sensitive to tone, with a preference for “restrained language over hype.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 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

Scandinavian airline SAS said Tuesday it has cancelled some hundred flights this week after the war in the Middle East sent fuel prices surging.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Here, with a Scandinavian conquest, had sprung up a wooden long-house—there, the original stones of the curtain wall had been pulled down to build a round tower for priests.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White