Word
barbarian
Phoneticsbar·bar·ian
US/bɑɹˈbɛɹiən/
UK/bɑːbˈeəɹiən/
Definition
n. a person who is seen as uncivilized, wild, or lacking in culture. In history, it was used to describe people from groups that were not part of a major empire like Rome.
n. an individual perceived as primitive, uncivilized, or lacking in cultural refinement. Historically used to designate members of a group or tribe not belonging to one of the great civilizations, such as the Roman Empire.
Examples
“The ancient empire built a wall to keep out the barbarian tribes.”
“The invaders were dismissed as barbarians by the local scholars, who ignored the complex social structures of the nomadic groups.”
Examples
simple
“The ancient empire built a wall to keep out the barbarian tribes.”
contextual
“The invaders were dismissed as barbarians by the local scholars, who ignored the complex social structures of the nomadic groups.”
Usage
Often used figuratively to describe someone who behaves in a crude or destructive manner.
Real-World Examples
“To be wounded yet fighting on against the barbarians gave one gravitas.” “Much of what was known came from what Greeks and Romans wrote about it—and from their point of view, the Lydians were eastern barbarians.”