Barbarian
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /bɑː(ɹ)ˈbɛə.ɹi.ən/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Barbarian is an adjective meaning Relating to people, countries, or customs perceived as uncivilized or inferior.
Meaning
Relating to people, countries, or customs perceived as uncivilized or inferior.
More Meanings
- (derogatory) A person destitute of culture; a Philistine.
- (derogatory) Someone from a developing country or backward culture.
- (derogatory) A foreigner, especially with barbaric qualities as in the above definitions.
- (derogatory) A cruel, savage, inhumane, brutal, violently aggressive person, particularly one who is unintelligent or dim-witted; one without pity or empathy.
- An uncivilized or uncultured person, originally compared to the hellenistic Greco-Roman civilisation; usually associated with senseless violence and self-harm or other such shows of brute force and lack of mental faculty.
- A brutish warrior depicted in sword and sorcery and other fantasy works; typically clad in primitive furs or leather and usually favoring physical strength over intelligence while often possessing a bellicose temperament and disdain for laws.
- (historical) A non-Greek or a non-Roman citizen.
Example Sentences
Thou fell barbarian.
Shall a noble writer, and an inspired noble writer, be called a solecist, and barbarian, for giving a new turn to a word so agreeable to the analogy and genius of the Greek tongue?
Word Forms
- barbarians
Synonyms for barbarian
Depending on context, synonyms include alien, outlander, peregrine, barbaric, barbarious, barbarous.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include uncivilized, barbaric, savage, wild, noncivilized, churl.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.