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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The film stars Korean star Hwang Jung-min (Deliver Us from Evil), Zo In-sung (Moving), Hoyeon (Squid Game), Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs), Taylor Russell (Bones and All) and Cameron Britton (Umbrella Academy). Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026 North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said the tests lasted three days starting Monday and also included demonstrations of anti-aircraft weapons, purported electromagnetic weapons systems and carbon-fiber bombs. CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026 Korean Fried Chicken Bao Buns feature crispy chicken wrapped in a pillowy bun with a pepper glaze made with gochugaru red chili powder, kimchi aioli and pickled cucumbers. Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026 Washington Square Park is home to the Missouri Korean War Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated in 2011. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Korean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Korean. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster