Castilian

[ ka-stil-yuhn ]

noun

1. the dialect of Spanish spoken in Castile.
2. the official standard form of the Spanish language as spoken in Spain, based on this dialect.
3. a native or inhabitant of Castile.

adjective

1. of or relating to Castile.

Castilian

/ kæˈstɪljən /

noun

1. the Spanish dialect of Castile; the standard form of European Spanish
2. a native or inhabitant of Castile

adjective

1. denoting, relating to, or characteristic of Castile, its inhabitants, or the standard form of European Spanish

Word History and Origins

Origin of Castilian¹

First recorded in 1520–30; Castile + -ian

Example Sentences

It supports bullfighting, wants priority to be given to the use of Castilian Spanish over regional languages, and a focus on support for "the family as a basic institution".

From Reuters

“No one doubts that the language is called Spanish or Castilian. Our constitution says Castilian, and in the Americas they say Castilian or Spanish,” he added.

From Seattle Times

The locals, who may not have been literate, likely told their responses to the surveyors, who wrote them down in old Castilian.

From Science Magazine

It was a purely dynastic union that gave the duke a claim to the Castilian throne.

From Salon

She races to the jokes before they can: about her age, her breasts, her strong Castilian accent.

From New York Times