What does "serbian" mean?
A native or inhabitant of Serbia.
Serbian
/ˈsɜː(ɹ)biːən/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A native or inhabitant of Serbia.
- Grammar: serbian is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: serb, ethnic, ethnic serb, serb language.
- Useful contrasts: foreign language, foreigner, non Serb.
- Usage evidence: Yugoslavia says it's not responsible for the actions of Serbian militias in Bosnia which have killed thousands, ruined cities, and turned 1.3 million people into refugees over the last three months.
How to use "serbian"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "serbian" 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 "serbian" 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 "serbian" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "serbian" 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 "serbian" is acting as adj, noun 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 "serb" 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 "serbian", 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 native or inhabitant of Serbia. countable
"The violence began when Serbian troops went into Croatia ostensibly to aid armed ethnic Serbians trying to create their own autonomous states there."
- 2 a member of a Slavic people who settled in Serbia and neighboring areas in the 6th and 7th centuries wordnet
- 3 A Serb. countable
- 4 The standardized variety of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs. uncountable
- 5 Serbo-Croatian in general, as spoken in Serbia. countable, historical, uncountable
Adjective
- 1 Of or pertaining to Serbia, the Serbian people or their language.
"Tuesday’s ICJ ruling relates specifically to what Serbian forces did in Croatia between 1991 and 1995."
- 2 Of, from, or pertaining to Serbia and Serbians. not-comparable
"In a raucous atmosphere, it was an unforgiving and physical contest from the start. Grant Hanley conceded the first free-kick within the opening 20 seconds, setting the tone for a busy and thankless evening for Serbian referee Milorad Mazic."
- 3 Of or pertaining to Serbian language. not-comparable
Adjective
- 1 of or relating to the people or language or culture of the region of Serbia wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Yugoslavia says it's not responsible for the actions of Serbian militias in Bosnia which have killed thousands, ruined cities, and turned 1.3 million people into refugees over the last three months."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "serbian"?
Common synonyms include: serb, ethnic, ethnic serb, serb language, serbian language, serbian person.
How do you use "serbian" in a sentence?
Yugoslavia says it's not responsible for the actions of Serbian militias in Bosnia which have killed thousands, ruined cities, and turned 1.3 million people into refugees over the last three months.
How do you pronounce "serbian"?
Pronounced /ˈsɜː(ɹ)biːən/.
Etymology
From Serb + -ian or Serbia + -an.