What does occidental mean?
Occidental is a formal word for “relating to the West.” It can describe the western part of a place, the Western world, or cultural, political, and linguistic traditions associated with Western civilization. Historically, the term was used especially in European writing to contrast the Christian or Western world with the Islamic world, and it therefore carries a dated cultural and geopolitical associations alongside its literal geographic meaning. In contemporary English, “Western” is much more common and usually clearer, but “occidental” remains useful in historical, academic, and comparative contexts. As a noun, an occidental is a person belonging to the West, though this use is rare. The word is related to “occident,” an older term for the west, and ultimately comes from Latin, where the underlying idea is associated with the setting or falling of the sun.
Relating to the West; situated in or characteristic of the western part of a region or of the Western world.
"The treaty was intended to expand occidental trade and influence."
Formal and somewhat dated; “Western” is normally preferred in modern usage.
A person belonging to the West, especially the Western world as historically understood.
"The novel contrasts the experiences of an occidental with those of an eastern traveler."
Rare and mainly historical or literary.
Occidental is also a surprisingly old label: it was once used to distinguish the Christian West from the Islamic East, so the word carries a history of cultural and religious contrast.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does occidental come from?
Occidental comes through Old French from Latin occidentalis, meaning “western” or “of the west.” Its root is the Latin occidens, a noun meaning “the west” or “sunset,” derived from occidere, “to go down” or “to set.” The same Latin cadere, “to fall,” underlies several English cognates, including accident and cadence, although their modern meanings developed along separate paths.
Related word forms
How occidental is actually used
Occidental is formal and somewhat dated in modern English. The historical contrast with “oriental” can be sensitive because it reflects an older geopolitical framework, so modern writers often use “Western” or “the West” instead. As a noun, “occidental” is uncommon.
Easily confused with occidental
Occidental means western or relating to the West, whereas accidental means happening by chance or unplanned.
Occidental refers to the West, while oriental refers to the East and is now often used only in historical or specialized contexts.