French word

oriental

Pronunciation

IPA/oʁjɑ̃tal/

Meaning

  • adjectiveoriental

Example

Ce parfum est oriental.

This perfume is oriental.

Illustration for oriental (oriental)

More examples

Ils ont dîné dans un restaurant oriental.

They dined at an oriental restaurant.

Core concept

An ornate, warm style associated with Eastern aesthetics in design, cuisine, or fragrance.

Common phrases

  • restaurant oriental

    oriental restaurant

  • plat oriental

    oriental dish

  • motif oriental

    oriental motif

Similar words

asiatique: Related to Asian styles, features, or cultural influences.
exotique: Suggesting unusualness and a strongly foreign atmosphere.

Definition in French

Qui rappelle les traits esthétiques ou olfactifs associés à l'Orient.

Word origin

The adjective oriental is a French borrowing from Latin orientalis, derived from oriens, which names the rising sun and the east.

Usage tips

  • For people or broad cultures, oriental can sound imprecise or dated, so a specific region is often clearer.

Other meanings

  • easternadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • orienterorientverb
  • orientalismeOrientalismnoun

Word lists with this word