# Ethiopian

/ˌiθiˈoʊpiən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ethiopian
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. relating to Ethiopia

adjective · CEFR B1

related to the country of Ethiopia, its people, or its language.

For teachers: pertaining to the nation of Ethiopia, its inhabitants, or its cultural heritage.

- We went to an Ethiopian restaurant and ate delicious spicy stew with flatbread.
- The Ethiopian highlands are home to unique wildlife and ancient historical sites that attract researchers from around the globe.

### 2. a person from Ethiopia

noun · CEFR B1

a person who comes from Ethiopia.

For teachers: a citizen or inhabitant of Ethiopia, or a person of Ethiopian descent.

- My neighbor is an Ethiopian who moved here to study engineering.
- The local community center hosted a gala to celebrate the achievements of prominent Ethiopians in the diaspora.

### 3. a black person

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for a person with dark skin from Africa.

For teachers: a historical and now dated term for a person of African descent.

- In old books, you might see the word Ethiopian used to describe any African person.
- Nineteenth-century literature often employed the term Ethiopian as a broad racial category rather than a specific national identifier.

Teaching tip: This sense is archaic and potentially offensive; modern speakers use 'Black' or specific nationalities instead.

## Examples

- We are going to an Ethiopian restaurant tonight.
- The museum features a stunning collection of Ethiopian manuscripts dating back several centuries.
- Scholars often study the Ethiopian Highlands for their unique biodiversity and the ancient agricultural techniques that have sustained local populations for millennia.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.