Washingtonian

American  

[wosh-ing-toh-nee-uhn, waw-shing-] / ˌwɒʃ ɪŋˈtoʊ ni ən, ˌwɔ ʃɪŋ- /

adjective

1. living in or coming from Washington, D.C., or the state of Washington.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Washington, D.C., or the state of Washington.

Washingtonian British  

/ ˌwɒʃɪŋˈtəʊnɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the city or state of Washington or their inhabitants

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of the city or state of Washington

Etymology

Origin of Washingtonian

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; Washington + -ian

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Washingtonian

“He’s the ultimate optimist,” said Cathy Merrill, chief executive of Washingtonian Media and a childhood friend.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026

As a Washingtonian, it made me want to stand up and cheer.

From Slate ● Nov. 7, 2025

I'd just seen articles from, you know, the Washington Post, or the Washingtonian or whatever that describe the dating culture in DC as really terrible.

From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2024

Ms. Graham explained the star-studded turnout in a single word, according to a report in Washingtonian magazine: “Fear.”

From New York Times ● Jan. 16, 2024

One Washington's birthday he delivered a temperance address before the Washingtonian Society of Springfield, on "Charity in Temperance Reform," in which he made a strong comparison between the drink habit and black slavery.

From The Story of Young Abraham Lincoln by Whipple, Wayne