Ukrainian

[ yoo-krey-nee-uhn, -krahy- ]

/ yuˈkreɪ ni ən, -ˈkraɪ- /

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adjective

of or relating to Ukraine, its people, or their language.

noun

a native or inhabitant of Ukraine.

a Slavic language spoken in Ukraine, closely related to Russian.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Ukrainian

First recorded in 1810–20; Ukraine + -ian

OTHER WORDS FROM Ukrainian

non-U·krain·i·an, adjective, noun

Words nearby Ukrainian

UKIP, ukiyo-e, UK Overseas Territory, Ukr., Ukraine, Ukrainian, ukulele, UL, ʿulama, ulan, Ulan Bator

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Ukrainian in a sentence

DakhaBrakha call its music “ethno-chaos” but what makes it captivating is not the chaos but the way the global sounds amplify the Ukrainian ones.
What Makes Music Universal - Issue 99: Universality|Kevin Berger|April 29, 2021|Nautilus
The closest Ukrainian position to that line is a system of trenches the troops have nicknamed Vietnam, a nod to the mud and morass of a war they had seen in the movies.
'They Want the West to Be Frightened.' Ukraine's President on Why Russia Sent Troops to the Border|Simon Shuster / Shumy, Ukraine|April 12, 2021|Time
In 2013, Oxford Dictionaries selected “selfie” as the word of the year, and by 2015 Snapchat had acquired the Ukrainian company Looksery and released the “Lenses” feature, much to the delight of Veronica’s middle school clique.
Beauty filters are changing the way young girls see themselves|Tate Ryan-Mosley|April 2, 2021|MIT Technology Review
It was early 1968, and the son of Jewish Ukrainian emigres had become a superstar in France in the wake of his Eurovision Song Contest victory.
Jane Birkin is back with a new album, but her presence is everlasting|Jeff Weiss|March 19, 2021|Washington Post

About 17,000 fighters from 50 countries, including at least 35 Americans, have traveled to the Ukrainian conflict zone, where they join units on both sides, according to one study.
Global Right-Wing Extremism Networks Are Growing. The U.S. Is Just Now Catching Up.|by Sebastian Rotella|January 22, 2021|ProPublica
Why would the CIA work to overthrow the Ukrainian government?
Oliver Stone’s Latest Dictator Suckup|James Kirchick|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
On Reddit, a Ukrainian protestor shared tips and observations.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bershin, who worked with the Ukrainian police before rebels took control of Donetsk, says officers have to be extra vigilant.
The Corrupt Cops of Rebel-Held East Ukraine|Kristina Jovanovski|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was detained after rebels found photos on her tablet computer showing supplies she gave to Ukrainian fighters.
The Corrupt Cops of Rebel-Held East Ukraine|Kristina Jovanovski|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their fighting was poorly coordinated, their weapons were vintage pieces, mostly seized from the Ukrainian military.
East Ukraine: Back in the USSR|Jamie Dettmer|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jisrolik the Ukrainian arrives and announces the decision of the kahal to refer the matter to him.
The History of Yiddish Literature in the Nineteenth Century|Leo Wiener
His father was a Little Russian, or Ukrainian, landowner, who exhibited considerable talent as a playwright and actor.
The Inspector-General|Nicolay Gogol
The Ukrainian race is as nearly autochthonous as any in central or eastern Europe.
Memorandum to the Government of the United States on the Recognition of the Ukrainian People's Republic|Julian Batchinsky
The last quarter of the century witnessed a temporary eclipse of the Ukrainian spirit of nationalism.
Memorandum to the Government of the United States on the Recognition of the Ukrainian People's Republic|Julian Batchinsky
One step toward accomplishing this was the suppression of Ukrainian literature.
Memorandum to the Government of the United States on the Recognition of the Ukrainian People's Republic|Julian Batchinsky

British Dictionary definitions for Ukrainian

Ukrainian

/ (juːˈkreɪnɪən) /

adjective

of or relating to Ukraine, its people, or their language

noun

the official language of Ukraine: an East Slavonic language closely related to Russian

a native or inhabitant of Ukraine

Formerly called: Little Russian

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012