South Asian

1 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of South Asia (a region of indefinite boundaries usually thought of as including all or some of the following countries: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives) or its people

South Asian

2 of 2

noun

plural South Asians
1
: a native or inhabitant of South Asia
2
: a person of South Asian descent

Examples of South Asian 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.
Adjective
The Diwali name and festive percussion gave the song a faintly South Asian vibe. Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 The South Asian diaspora witnessed a wave of musical innovation in the early 1980s, producing a number of records that would go on to earn landmark status. Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 27 June 2026 Deeply committed to the UK’s cultural landscape, Ganan serves as Chairman of Rifco, the UK’s leading South Asian theatre production company and is also a trustee of Women in Sport. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 June 2026 Jones said Shiite rulers in several South Asian kingdoms sponsored processions and other commemorations of Hussein’s martyrdom, helping turn them into public events that drew wider audiences. ABC News, 25 June 2026 Air conditioning systems in the South Asian nation typically top out at 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 25 June 2026 India leads the way population-wise, but other South Asian countries, as well as Great Britain and Commonwealth countries like Australia and New Zealand, are also cricket hotbeds. Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 Malsons has emerged as one of the most influential indies in South Asian music. Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 June 2026 Staying true to its South Asian roots, key ingredients include amla fruit extract (more commonly known as Indian gooseberry oil), which is rich in vitamin C to brighten bouts of hyperpigmentation and protect skin against free radicals (which can fast-track signs of aging). Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 13 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1821, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of South Asian was in 1821

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“South Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/South%20Asian. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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