oriental
n.n. a word used in the past to describe people or things from East Asia. Today, many people find it offensive when used to describe people, so it is better to use more specific words like 'Asian'.
n. relating to or characteristic of East Asia. While historically used in academic and administrative contexts, it is now widely considered offensive or dated when applied to people; it remains in use primarily for rugs, cuisine, or historical studies.
The museum has a large collection of Oriental art.
The professor specialized in Oriental studies, a term that was common in the mid-twentieth century but has since been replaced.
Scholars now argue that the term Oriental was often used to create a sense of 'otherness' that simplified the diverse cultures of the East into a single, exotic category.
Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun. When referring to people, 'Asian' is the standard and respectful alternative.
He is an Oriental.He is Asian.Using this word to describe a person is considered offensive in modern English; use 'Asian' or a specific nationality instead.