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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.


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

"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

noun

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

"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

Etymology

Origin of Washingtonian

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After its Washingtonian adventure, Miller’s artillery battery was sent to Louisiana, where Miller fought in the Battle of New Orleans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Worst of all, not that it’s a contest, but the Washington Post will now be a lot less Washingtonian.

From Slate • Feb. 5, 2026

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

Grace, who lives in Tacoma, is a Washingtonian who was born and raised in Snohomish County.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 16, 2024

The following letter, received by us, from Otis Clapp, who has been for sixteen years president of the "Washingtonian Home," will give the reader a still clearer impression of the workings of that institution.

From Grappling with the Monster The Curse and the Cure of Strong Drink by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)