What does oriental mean?
Oriental is an older English word relating to East Asia or other eastern regions. It is still encountered in names, historical writing, and the names of institutions or fields of study, but many contemporary speakers regard it as dated, particularly in broad cultural labels such as “Oriental languages” or “Oriental art.” As a noun, it once denoted a person from East Asia, but that use is now considered inappropriate and potentially offensive because it reduces diverse peoples and cultures to a single old-fashioned category. The neutral modern alternative is usually Asian, while East Asian may be preferred when a more specific geographical description is useful. Oriental should generally be retained only when discussing historical usage, preserving the title of an established work, or quoting language whose original context matters. Its connection with the Latin orientalis, meaning “eastern,” reflects the older European tendency to divide the world into an East and a West.
Relating to East Asia or the eastern parts of Asia; in older usage, relating more broadly to the east.
"The collection contains Oriental textiles from the nineteenth century."
Often dated, especially in broad cultural or geographical labels. The dating of the term does not always make it inappropriate in historical or properly contextualized use.
A dated and potentially offensive term for a person from East Asia.
"The article discusses why the novel uses the term “Oriental” for its characters."
The capitalized noun is now strongly discouraged; use “Asian person” or a more specific regional description instead.
This plural occurs chiefly in dated historical texts and should not normally be used in current writing; the preferred modern plural of “Asian” is “Asians.”
"The passage refers to several orientals, reflecting the terminology of its period."
Its Latin ancestor meant “eastern” and was associated with the rising sun.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does oriental come from?
The word entered Middle English through Anglo-French and Old French oriental, a form of Latin orientalis meaning “eastern” or “of the east.” Latin orientalis was derived from oriens, meaning “rising” or “the east,” in reference to the rising sun. The same Latin foundation produced orient, orientation, orientalism, and orientalist, although the social and cultural senses of the latter terms are now viewed with criticism when applied uncritically.
Related word forms
How oriental is actually used
The adjective is now often regarded as dated, especially in cultural or geographical labels such as “Oriental art” and “Oriental languages.” The capitalized noun is more strongly discouraged and may be offensive when applied to a person; “Asian person” is the usual neutral modern expression.
Easily confused with oriental
Orient is a verb meaning to locate or identify the position or direction of something, whereas Oriental is chiefly an older adjective and noun associated with eastern Asia.