Word
aryans
Countable noun
Definition
n. people belonging to ancient groups that lived in parts of India, Iran and Europe and spoke related early languages. The Nazis later wrongly used the word to mean a superior white race.
n. members of ancient Indo-Iranian peoples who spoke early Indo-European languages, associated with the cultures of ancient India and Iran. Twentieth-century Nazi ideology appropriated the term to describe a supposed superior white race, a use now regarded as historically false and offensive in that sense.
Examples
“Historians study how the ancient Aryans lived and moved.”
“In the history class, students learn that the Aryans spoke early languages that later developed into Sanskrit and Persian.”
“Scholars trace linguistic links between ancient texts in India and Iran to understand how the Aryans migrated, while rejecting the false racial meaning imposed on the term in the twentieth century.”
Examples
simple
“Historians study how the ancient Aryans lived and moved.”
contextual
“In the history class, students learn that the Aryans spoke early languages that later developed into Sanskrit and Persian.”
complex
“Scholars trace linguistic links between ancient texts in India and Iran to understand how the Aryans migrated, while rejecting the false racial meaning imposed on the term in the twentieth century.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “aryans” in context.
Verb
01. aryans migrate
“Many historians argue Aryans migrated gradually rather than invading at once.”
noun + verb
02. aryans settle
“Aryans settled in the Punjab region and developed Vedic culture.”
noun + verb
03. aryans worship
“Aryans worshipped natural forces such as fire, storm and dawn.”
noun + verb
04. describe aryans
“Early Sanskrit texts describe Aryans as pastoralists skilled in horsemanship.”
verb + noun
05. glorify aryans
“Nazi ideology glorified Aryans to justify its racist policies.”
verb + noun
06. mythologize aryans
“Nineteenth-century scholars mythologized Aryans as noble northern conquerors.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. ancient aryans
“Scholars believe ancient Aryans migrated from Central Asia around 1500 BCE.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. descendants of aryans
“Many groups claim to be cultural descendants of Aryans.”
noun + prep + noun
09. invasion of aryans
“Some colonial histories stressed the invasion of Aryans into India.”
noun + prep + noun
10. myth of aryans
“Scholars have debunked the myth of Aryans as a biologically pure race.”
noun + prep + noun
11. debunk the myth of aryans
“Modern historians seek to debunk the myth of Aryans as a superior race.”
12. descendants of the ancient aryans
“The course traces how later groups claimed to be descendants of the ancient Aryans.”
Usage
Usually capitalised as 'Aryans'; the Nazi racial sense is historically false and offensive.
Real-World Examples
“Hindu right-wingers believe the source of Indian civilisation are people who called themselves Aryans - a nomadic tribe of horse-riding, cattle-rearing warriors and herders who composed Hinduism's oldest religious texts, the Vedas.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/aryans