Oriental
adjective
From or related to the regions of East Asia, like China, Japan, or Korea.
I am studying oriental philosophy.
Often appears as...
- oriental cuisine
- oriental culture
adjective
Referring to things that are traditionally seen in East Asian countries.
He has an oriental rug in his living room.
Often appears as...
- oriental design
- oriental rug
noun
A person from East Asia.
He is an oriental living in America.
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
From or related to the regions of East Asia, like China, Japan, or Korea.
I am studying oriental philosophy.
Often appears as...
- oriental cuisine
- oriental culture
adjective
Referring to things that are traditionally seen in East Asian countries.
He has an oriental rug in his living room.
Often appears as...
- oriental design
- oriental rug
noun
A person from East Asia.
He is an oriental living in America.
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
Some may find 'oriental' outdated or offensive. Use 'Asian' for modern contexts.
Asian culture is very diverse.
Pro Tip 2/3Geographical Precision
'Oriental' specifically denotes East Asian countries, not all of Asia.
Oriental art often includes themes from China and Japan.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
The term is more common in older texts than in contemporary language.
In old literature, 'oriental' traditions are often exoticized.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
Some may find 'oriental' outdated or offensive. Use 'Asian' for modern contexts.
Asian culture is very diverse.
Pro Tip 2/3Geographical Precision
'Oriental' specifically denotes East Asian countries, not all of Asia.
Oriental art often includes themes from China and Japan.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
The term is more common in older texts than in contemporary language.
In old literature, 'oriental' traditions are often exoticized.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
Some may find 'oriental' outdated or offensive. Use 'Asian' for modern contexts.
Asian culture is very diverse.
Pro Tip 2/3Geographical Precision
'Oriental' specifically denotes East Asian countries, not all of Asia.
Oriental art often includes themes from China and Japan.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Context
The term is more common in older texts than in contemporary language.
In old literature, 'oriental' traditions are often exoticized.
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Video examples
Why is Vermeer's "Girl...
The oriental turban worn by the "Girl with the Pearl Earring" also emphasizes the worldliness of the merchant class, and the pearl itself, a symbol of wealth, is actually an exaggeration. Vermeer couldn't have afforded a real pearl of its size.
Video examples
Destination Spain PIPE...
oriental and gypsy influences blending together to produce this world-renowned sound and if you're really lucky you might catch a - of flamenco not on a stage but in its rise most authentic form as a spontaneous outburst late at
Video examples
Mary Roach: 10 things...
Yes. Exactly. Sadly, he's anonymous. His name is not mentioned. In his write-up of this experiment in his book, Kinsey wrote, "Two sheets were laid down to protect the oriental carpets."
Video examples
Hornbills Pluck Bats...
of all 54 species of hornbill the oriental pied has the most
Video examples
Why is Vermeer's "Girl...
The oriental turban worn by the "Girl with the Pearl Earring" also emphasizes the worldliness of the merchant class, and the pearl itself, a symbol of wealth, is actually an exaggeration. Vermeer couldn't have afforded a real pearl of its size.
Video examples
Destination Spain PIPE...
oriental and gypsy influences blending together to produce this world-renowned sound and if you're really lucky you might catch a - of flamenco not on a stage but in its rise most authentic form as a spontaneous outburst late at
Video examples
Mary Roach: 10 things...
Yes. Exactly. Sadly, he's anonymous. His name is not mentioned. In his write-up of this experiment in his book, Kinsey wrote, "Two sheets were laid down to protect the oriental carpets."
Video examples
Hornbills Pluck Bats...
of all 54 species of hornbill the oriental pied has the most
Example 1 of 4
Quote examples
Mark Shand
British Writer
My flat is a bit like an oriental bazaar. It's filled with the oddest objects from all my travels, and you can't really move in it. I love collecting antiques and often spend weekends driving around bric-a-brac markets.
Quote examples
Olivia De Havilland
American Actress
The one thing that you simply have to remember all the time that you are there, is that Hollywood is an oriental city. As long as you do that you might survive. If you try to equate it with anything else you'll perish.
Quote examples
David Hockney
English Artist
Shadows sometimes people don't see shadows. The Chinese of course never paint them in pictures, oriental art never deals with shadow. But I noticed these shadows and I knew it meant it was sunny.
Quote examples
James J. Hill
American Businessman
If you review the commercial history, you will discover anyone who controls oriental trade will get hold of global wealth.
Quote examples
Jose Rizal
Filipino Writer
Orientals, and the Malays in particular, are a sensitive people: delicacy of sentiment is predominant with them.
Quote examples
Malcolm de Chazal
French Writer
The flower is a jumble of thighs, the sun's harem - the most oriental thing imaginable.
Quote examples
A. B. Yehoshua
Israeli Novelist
I come from two parts of the oriental community - Jerusalemite and North African Jews.
Quote examples
Li Keqiang
Chinese Politician
The world today needs both western thinking and oriental vision.
Quote examples
Johnny Mathis
American Musician
I love Puccini and that oriental influence in his music.
Quote examples
Tom T. Hall
American Musician
Faulkner was almost oriental. I never got into Faulkner.
Quote examples
Mark Shand
British Writer
My flat is a bit like an oriental bazaar. It's filled with the oddest objects from all my travels, and you can't really move in it. I love collecting antiques and often spend weekends driving around bric-a-brac markets.
Quote examples
Olivia De Havilland
American Actress
The one thing that you simply have to remember all the time that you are there, is that Hollywood is an oriental city. As long as you do that you might survive. If you try to equate it with anything else you'll perish.
Quote examples
David Hockney
English Artist
Shadows sometimes people don't see shadows. The Chinese of course never paint them in pictures, oriental art never deals with shadow. But I noticed these shadows and I knew it meant it was sunny.
Quote examples
James J. Hill
American Businessman
If you review the commercial history, you will discover anyone who controls oriental trade will get hold of global wealth.
Quote examples
Jose Rizal
Filipino Writer
Orientals, and the Malays in particular, are a sensitive people: delicacy of sentiment is predominant with them.
Quote examples
Malcolm de Chazal
French Writer
The flower is a jumble of thighs, the sun's harem - the most oriental thing imaginable.
Quote examples
A. B. Yehoshua
Israeli Novelist
I come from two parts of the oriental community - Jerusalemite and North African Jews.
Quote examples
Li Keqiang
Chinese Politician
The world today needs both western thinking and oriental vision.
Quote examples
Johnny Mathis
American Musician
I love Puccini and that oriental influence in his music.
Quote examples
Tom T. Hall
American Musician
Faulkner was almost oriental. I never got into Faulkner.
Example 1 of 10
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