South Asian

1 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of South Asia (a region of indefinite boundaries usually thought of as including all or some of the following countries: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives) or its people

South Asian

2 of 2

noun

plural South Asians
1
: a native or inhabitant of South Asia
2
: a person of South Asian descent

Examples of South Asian in a Sentence

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Adjective
Many of these foreign tourists were religious pilgrims, especially among the South Asian diaspora scattered around the world. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Here, a breakfast buffet to beat all other buffets is available, with plenty of fruit, a serious pastry section and a daily changing South Asian offering such as Sri Lankan hoppers or Maldivian tuna curry. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 However, in the ’90s, it was relocated to Devon Avenue — the Far North Side street famous for its strip of South Asian businesses known as Little India. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 The booming market for South Asian art has been flooded with forgeries. — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for South Asian

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1821, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of South Asian was in 1821

Rhymes for South Asian

See All Rhymes for South Asian

Browse Nearby Words

South Asia
South Asian
South Australia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“South Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/South%20Asian. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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