occidental
occidental Lexical Profile
occidental Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to, situated in, or characteristic of the countries, cultures, and peoples of the Western world, especially Europe and the Americas (often capitalized).
"The comparative literature course examined the philosophical differences between Oriental and Occidental traditions."
Located in or directed toward the west; western.
"The explorers followed the river toward the occidental coast of the continent."
• noun
A native or inhabitant of the Occident (the Western world), or a person of European descent (usually capitalized).
"During the nineteenth century, few Occidentals were permitted to travel freely into the interior of the country."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring specifically to the countries, peoples, or cultures of the Western world, 'Occidental' is typically capitalized, whereas it remains lowercase when used in a general geographical sense meaning 'western.' Today, it is largely formal or literary, having been mostly superseded by 'Western' in everyday usage.
• Rhymes for occidental
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French 'occidental', from Latin 'occidentalis' ('western'), derived from 'occidens' ('the west, sunset'), the present participle of 'occidere' ('to fall down, go down, set'), referring to the direction of the setting sun.