Korean

noun

Ko·​re·​an kə-ˈrē-ən How to pronounce Korean (audio)
 especially Southern  (ˌ)kō-
1
: a native or inhabitant of Korea
2
: the language of the Korean people
Korean adjective

Examples of Korean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Shin also provides pro bono work at legal clinics and is president of the Orange County Korean American Bar Association Foundation, an organization centered on charitable causes. Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 President Marcos South Korean] Ambassador Lee for the HD Hyundai steel cutting ceremony, highlighting Subic Bay's strategic role in the Luzon Economic Corridor. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 Following this storyline, most accounts of Korea just after World War II look at these years for the origins of the Korean War. Kornel Chang september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025 In commemoration of World War II, a creaky old Sherman tank crawled past half-empty bleachers, and the Korean War was honored with a short video. Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Korean

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Korean was in 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Korean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Korean. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

Korean

noun
Ko·​re·​an kə-ˈrē-ən How to pronounce Korean (audio)
1
: a person born or living in Korea
2
: the language of the Korean people
Korean adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Korean

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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