indian
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.a person who comes from the country of India.
n.a citizen or native of the Republic of India.
Simple“My new neighbour is an Indian who moved here to study engineering.”
In context“The delegation included several prominent Indians who were experts in renewable energy technology.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a member of the people who lived in North or South America before Europeans arrived.
n.a member of any of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, excluding the Inuit, Aleut, and Yupik.
Simple“The museum has a large collection of art made by American Indians.”
In context“The documentary explores the complex history of the Plains Indians and their relationship with the land.”
Teacher's tipIn modern North American English, 'Native American' or 'Indigenous' is usually preferred in formal or respectful contexts to avoid confusion with people from India.
Synonymsnative americanfirst nations - 03 A1 Beginner
adj.relating to the country of India, its people, or its culture.
adj.pertaining to the Republic of India, its inhabitants, or its cultural and linguistic heritage.
Simple“I love Indian food because of all the different spices.”
In context“The exhibition showcases traditional Indian textiles and their influence on global fashion trends.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
adj.a type of opening move in a game of chess.
adj.denoting a family of chess openings where Black controls the centre with pieces rather than pawns.
Simple“He decided to play the King's Indian Defence to surprise his opponent.”
In context“The grandmaster is known for his deep understanding of various Indian systems, particularly the Nimzo-Indian.”
From Anglo-Norman indien, Middle French indien, corresponding to Ind + -ian or India + -an. Applied to inhabitants of the Americas due to an early misconception that the Americas were the eastern end of Asia / the Indies (hence also the designation of Caribbean islands as the West Indies).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.