Barbarian
noun
A person who is seen as violent or uneducated, often a person from an uncivilized culture.
The quiet village was invaded by barbarians who destroyed everything.
Often appears as...
- barbarian tribes
- barbarian invasion
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Related to or typical of a barbarian.
Their barbarian behavior shocked the peaceful community.
Often appears as...
- barbarian nature
- barbarian lifestyle
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
In ancient Greece and Rome, a person who did not speak Greek or Latin.
The Greeks regarded the Persians as barbarians because they didn't speak Greek.
Often appears as...
- barbarian peoples
- barbarian lands
Usage tips
Neutral
Historical
noun
A person who is seen as violent or uneducated, often a person from an uncivilized culture.
The quiet village was invaded by barbarians who destroyed everything.
Often appears as...
- barbarian tribes
- barbarian invasion
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Related to or typical of a barbarian.
Their barbarian behavior shocked the peaceful community.
Often appears as...
- barbarian nature
- barbarian lifestyle
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
In ancient Greece and Rome, a person who did not speak Greek or Latin.
The Greeks regarded the Persians as barbarians because they didn't speak Greek.
Often appears as...
- barbarian peoples
- barbarian lands
Usage tips
Neutral
Historical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The word 'barbarian' often implies negativity, suggesting wildness or lack of civilization.
The movie portrayed the invading force as ruthless barbarians.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Historical
Use 'barbarian' to refer to historical groups seen as uncivilized, not modern people.
Historians study the customs of barbarian tribes from long ago.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Personal Insult
Avoid using 'barbarian' to insult someone; it can be seen as offensive.
Don't call someone a barbarian just because they're rude.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The word 'barbarian' often implies negativity, suggesting wildness or lack of civilization.
The movie portrayed the invading force as ruthless barbarians.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Historical
Use 'barbarian' to refer to historical groups seen as uncivilized, not modern people.
Historians study the customs of barbarian tribes from long ago.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Personal Insult
Avoid using 'barbarian' to insult someone; it can be seen as offensive.
Don't call someone a barbarian just because they're rude.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The word 'barbarian' often implies negativity, suggesting wildness or lack of civilization.
The movie portrayed the invading force as ruthless barbarians.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Historical
Use 'barbarian' to refer to historical groups seen as uncivilized, not modern people.
Historians study the customs of barbarian tribes from long ago.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Personal Insult
Avoid using 'barbarian' to insult someone; it can be seen as offensive.
Don't call someone a barbarian just because they're rude.
Never forget "Barbarian"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Learning from past...
before I finished the chief of the barbarians stood up and said but wait you haven't told us about the greatest ruler of them all we want to hear about that man who spoke with the voice of thunder who laughed like the sunrise who came from that place called America which is so far from here that if a young man should travel there he would
Video examples
The Real Amazons PIPE...
was one of the most barbaric things you could do it's just outrageous that you would be covering your entire body in this way so the greeks surrounded themselves with depictions of these so-called barbarians almost like they were creating a thrilling alternate universe
Video examples
History vs. Genghis Khan...
He was one of the most fearsome warlords who ever lived, waging an unstoppable conquest across the Eurasian continent. But was Genghis Khan a vicious barbarian or a unifier who paved the way for the modern world?
Video examples
How did English evolve?...
We'll come back to them later. Now on to our story. In the year 400 C.E. the Celts in Britain were ruled by Romans. This had one benefit for the the Romans protected them from the barbarian Saxon tribes
Video examples
Mac Barnett: Why a good...
so we just left it there forever. Mammoth Chunks. These things weigh, like, seven pounds each. Barbarian repellent. It's full of salad and potpourri — things that barbarians hate. Dead languages.
Video examples
Singing from the...
called Elgin a barbarian in Hong Kong they gave him a street and on this street you can go to a classic British store called Marks & Spencer and you can buy yourself a dry British sandwich on
Video examples
The rise and fall of the...
whom Byzantines considered barbarians. In the ninth century, visitors from beyond the frontier were astonished at the graceful stone arches and domes of the imperial palace in Constantinople.
Video examples
Music and creativity in...
such as jazz or punk or rap. What do you think Plato would say about the music you listen to? Is it beneficial to your ethos, or will it degenerate you into a gibbering, amoral barbarian?
Video examples
A brief history of goths...
have in common with ancient barbarians? Not much. So why are both known as goths? Is it a weird coincidence or a deeper connection stretching across the centuries?
Video examples
The Search for King...
Romans are pulling out the Britons are on their own barbarians flood into the country wreaking havoc with their world falling apart where people need a hero
Video examples
Learning from past...
before I finished the chief of the barbarians stood up and said but wait you haven't told us about the greatest ruler of them all we want to hear about that man who spoke with the voice of thunder who laughed like the sunrise who came from that place called America which is so far from here that if a young man should travel there he would
Video examples
The Real Amazons PIPE...
was one of the most barbaric things you could do it's just outrageous that you would be covering your entire body in this way so the greeks surrounded themselves with depictions of these so-called barbarians almost like they were creating a thrilling alternate universe
Video examples
History vs. Genghis Khan...
He was one of the most fearsome warlords who ever lived, waging an unstoppable conquest across the Eurasian continent. But was Genghis Khan a vicious barbarian or a unifier who paved the way for the modern world?
Video examples
How did English evolve?...
We'll come back to them later. Now on to our story. In the year 400 C.E. the Celts in Britain were ruled by Romans. This had one benefit for the the Romans protected them from the barbarian Saxon tribes
Video examples
Mac Barnett: Why a good...
so we just left it there forever. Mammoth Chunks. These things weigh, like, seven pounds each. Barbarian repellent. It's full of salad and potpourri — things that barbarians hate. Dead languages.
Video examples
Singing from the...
called Elgin a barbarian in Hong Kong they gave him a street and on this street you can go to a classic British store called Marks & Spencer and you can buy yourself a dry British sandwich on
Video examples
The rise and fall of the...
whom Byzantines considered barbarians. In the ninth century, visitors from beyond the frontier were astonished at the graceful stone arches and domes of the imperial palace in Constantinople.
Video examples
Music and creativity in...
such as jazz or punk or rap. What do you think Plato would say about the music you listen to? Is it beneficial to your ethos, or will it degenerate you into a gibbering, amoral barbarian?
Video examples
A brief history of goths...
have in common with ancient barbarians? Not much. So why are both known as goths? Is it a weird coincidence or a deeper connection stretching across the centuries?
Video examples
The Search for King...
Romans are pulling out the Britons are on their own barbarians flood into the country wreaking havoc with their world falling apart where people need a hero
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Patrick Rothfuss
American Writer
I started a novel back in high school. It wasn't very good. It was the opposite of good. The writing itself wasn't too bad, and the characters were interesting. But the story was a mess, and it was full of fantasy cliches. Dwarf with an axe. Barbarian warrior. I don't ever think I'd bother finishing that. It's just not worth my time.
Quote examples
Noam Chomsky
American Activist
Unlike Europe, China can't be intimidated. Europe backs down if the United States looks at it the wrong way. But China, they've been there for 3,000 years and are paying no attention to the barbarians and don't see any need to.
Quote examples
Breyten Breytenbach
South African Writer
The goal, I submit, is obvious: subjugating the world (which is barbarian, dangerous, envious and ungrateful) to US power for the sake of America's interests.
Quote examples
Linda Colley
British Historian
If you believe you are the city on the hill, the world's best hope, it is tempting also to believe that outside your boundaries are barbarians.
Quote examples
Thomas Sowell
American Economist
Each new generation born is in effect an invasion of civilization by little barbarians, who must be civilized before it is too late.
Quote examples
Fawad Khan
Pakistani Actor
Men are naturally barbarians, and that will remain forever. The passion, the love, and the lust is intensifying with time.
Quote examples
Pierre Schaeffer
French Composer
Barbarians always think of themselves as the bringers of civilization.
Quote examples
William Inge
English Clergyman
Gambling is a disease of barbarians superficially civilized.
Quote examples
Robert Christgau
American Journalist
I am one of the barbarians - I love rock and roll.
Quote examples
Napoleon Bonaparte
French Statesman
War is the business of barbarians.
Quote examples
Patrick Rothfuss
American Writer
I started a novel back in high school. It wasn't very good. It was the opposite of good. The writing itself wasn't too bad, and the characters were interesting. But the story was a mess, and it was full of fantasy cliches. Dwarf with an axe. Barbarian warrior. I don't ever think I'd bother finishing that. It's just not worth my time.
Quote examples
Noam Chomsky
American Activist
Unlike Europe, China can't be intimidated. Europe backs down if the United States looks at it the wrong way. But China, they've been there for 3,000 years and are paying no attention to the barbarians and don't see any need to.
Quote examples
Breyten Breytenbach
South African Writer
The goal, I submit, is obvious: subjugating the world (which is barbarian, dangerous, envious and ungrateful) to US power for the sake of America's interests.
Quote examples
Linda Colley
British Historian
If you believe you are the city on the hill, the world's best hope, it is tempting also to believe that outside your boundaries are barbarians.
Quote examples
Thomas Sowell
American Economist
Each new generation born is in effect an invasion of civilization by little barbarians, who must be civilized before it is too late.
Quote examples
Fawad Khan
Pakistani Actor
Men are naturally barbarians, and that will remain forever. The passion, the love, and the lust is intensifying with time.
Quote examples
Pierre Schaeffer
French Composer
Barbarians always think of themselves as the bringers of civilization.
Quote examples
William Inge
English Clergyman
Gambling is a disease of barbarians superficially civilized.
Quote examples
Robert Christgau
American Journalist
I am one of the barbarians - I love rock and roll.
Quote examples
Napoleon Bonaparte
French Statesman
War is the business of barbarians.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension