# European

/ˌjʊɹəˈpiən/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. from the continent

adjective · CEFR A2

connected with the continent of Europe or the people who live there.

For teachers: relating to the continent of Europe or its inhabitants.

- We spent our summer holiday visiting several European cities like Prague and Vienna.
- The treaty aimed to foster closer cooperation between European nations regarding environmental protection and cross-border trade.

### 2. related to the EU

adjective · CEFR B1

connected with the European Union (EU).

For teachers: relating to the European Union as a political and economic entity.

- The new European laws will change how companies handle personal data.
- The central bank adjusted its interest rates in response to the latest European economic forecasts.

### 3. finance

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of financial option that can only be used on a specific final date.

For teachers: denoting an option that can be exercised only at the expiry date, rather than at any time during its life.

- The investor chose a European option because it was cheaper than the American one.
- Unlike American-style derivatives, European options restrict the holder's ability to exercise the contract until the precise moment of maturity.

Usage: In finance, this is a technical classification and does not refer to the location of the trade.

### 4. a person

noun · CEFR A2

someone who comes from or lives in Europe.

For teachers: a native or inhabitant of Europe, or a person of European descent.

- Many Europeans enjoy traveling to different countries within the continent during the summer.
- The survey collected data from thousands of Europeans to understand their views on renewable energy.

## Examples

- The new manager is a European who moved here last year.
- Many Europeans travel freely across borders within the Schengen Area for both work and leisure.
- The treaty was designed to harmonize trade regulations for every European, ensuring that consumer protections remain consistent across all member states regardless of their specific national jurisdiction.

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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.