Aryan

[ air-ee-uhn, air-yuhn, ar- ]

noun

1. Ethnology. a member or descendant of the prehistoric people who spoke Indo-European.
2. (in Nazi doctrine) a non-Jewish Caucasian, especially of Nordic stock.
3. (formerly) Indo-European.
4. (formerly) Indo-Iranian.

adjective

1. of or relating to an Aryan or the Aryans.
2. (formerly) Indo-European.
3. (formerly) Indo-Iranian.

Aryan

/ ˈɛərɪən /

noun

1. (in Nazi ideology) a Caucasian of non-Jewish descent, esp of the Nordic type
2. a member of any of the peoples supposedly descended from the Indo-Europeans, esp a speaker of an Iranian or Indic language in ancient times

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of an Aryan or Aryans

adjective

1. archaic.
   Indo-European

Other Words From

• non-Ary·an noun adjective
• pre-Ary·an adjective
• pseudo-Ary·an adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aryan¹

First recorded in 1785–95; from Sanskrit ārya “of high rank” (adjective), “aristocrat” (noun) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aryan¹

C19: from Sanskrit ārya of noble birth

Example Sentences

“Lightning bolts are connected with the Aryan Brotherhood. You’ve got a skull and shotguns — frankly, it’s disturbing and offensive,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Two alleged Aryan Brotherhood members were charged in the indictment: Paul John Pichie, a.k.a.

From Los Angeles Times

They include the arrest of his son Aryan Khan on fake charges of drug possession - the charges were eventually dropped - and a number of films that didn't do well.

From BBC

"Iran," however, is rooted in the word "Aryan," meaning "Land of the Aryans," and has been used locally since the Sassanian era to denote the broader realm of the Persian empires.

From Salon

That's how it's always been with fascists, who never meet their own impossible standards of Aryan perfection.

From Salon