What does "russian" mean?
A citizen of Russia.
Russian
/ˈɹʌʃ(ə)n/ adj, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A citizen of Russia.
- Grammar: russian is listed as adj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: russian language, east slavic language, english, ethnic russian.
- Useful contrasts: foreign, foreign language, foreigner.
- Usage evidence: Russian is very difficult to learn.
How to use "russian"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "russian" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "russian" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "russian" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "russian" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "russian" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "russian language" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "russian", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A citizen of Russia. countable
"A grim smile plays about Tarzan’s lips. At least Rokoff will be cheated. How mad he will be! And death will be more merciful than he could have hoped for at the hands of the Russian."
- 2 the Slavic language that is the official language of Russia wordnet
- 3 An ethnic Russian; a member of the East Slavic ethnic group which is native to, and constitutes the majority of the population of, Russia. countable
- 4 a native or inhabitant of Russia wordnet
- 5 A person from the Soviet Union. countable, obsolete
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 The Russian language. uncountable
"The “little green men”—faces covered, wearing unmarked olive uniforms, speaking Russian and using Russian weapons—have played a significant role in both the occupation of Crimea and the civil war in eastern Ukraine.¹⁹⁶"
- 7 A domestic cat breed. countable, uncountable
- 8 A cat of this breed. countable, uncountable
- 9 A type of juggling ball with a hard outer shell, filled with salt, sand or another similar substance. countable, rare, singular, uncountable
"Ok, I do think I am starting to get used to it, but you have to admit, if youve^([sic]) been juggling bags and then start juggling Russians, they feel sooo lopsided to juggle at first!"
- 10 Someone from or around Brandon Estate (also known as Moscow). Multicultural-London-English, countable, slang, uncountable
- 11 A gun (due to some preference for Russian arms with gang members). Multicultural-London-English, countable, slang, uncountable
- 12 A kind of sausage derived from Russian kolbasa. South-Africa, countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To compel or force someone as a result of Russian influence or pressure. obsolete, transitive
Adjective
- 1 Of or pertaining to Russia or Russians.
"So that is the official line: you’re shit, we’re shit, everything’s shit, never try for a better world because it doesn’t exist. That is not only bleak, I think it’s also the working title of every Russian novel ever written."
- 2 Russian. derogatory, humorous, offensive, slang
- 3 Of or pertaining to the Soviet Union. dated
- 4 Of or pertaining to Rus. dated
- 5 Of or pertaining to the Russian language.
Adjective
- 1 of or pertaining to or characteristic of Russia or its people or culture or language wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Russian is very difficult to learn."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "russian"?
Common synonyms include: russian language, east slavic language, english, ethnic russian, havana, language.
How do you use "russian" in a sentence?
Russian is very difficult to learn.
How do you pronounce "russian"?
Pronounced /ˈɹʌʃ(ə)n/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Medieval Latin (11th century) Russiānus, from Russia, a Latinization of the Old East Slavic Русь (Rusĭ)) + -ānus (“of or pertaining to”). Attested in English (both as a noun and as an adjective) from the 16th century. By surface analysis, Russia + -an. Piecewise doublet of Rossiyan.
Etymology 2
Blend of Russian + SS (“Schutzstaffel”), implying that the Russian character is fascistic.