Victorian

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adjective (1)

Vic·​to·​ri·​an vik-ˈtȯr-ē-ən How to pronounce Victorian (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the reign of Queen Victoria of England or the art, letters, or tastes of her time
2
: typical of the moral standards, attitudes, or conduct of the age of Victoria especially when considered stuffy, prudish, or hypocritical

Victorian

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noun (1)

1
: a person living during Queen Victoria's reign
especially : a representative figure of that time
2
: a typically large and ornate house built during Queen Victoria's reign

Victorian

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adjective (2)

: of or relating to Victoria
It looks very much like only one Victorian team will have a chance to push into the top four …Roy Ward

Victorian

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noun (2)

plural Victorians
: a native or inhabitant of Victoria

Examples of Victorian in a Sentence

Adjective (1) My parents have very Victorian attitudes when it comes to sex. a conservative Christian sect with a code of sexual morality that is often seen as quaintly Victorian by outsiders
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
From the slums of Victorian London, the Baker Street Four of the series are Billy, who see himself as the brains of the band of urchins, Tom, an acrobat and ace pickpocket, and Charlotte, the resourceful one of the group. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025 But behind its grand Victorian façade, a colony of moths living in the insulation wreaked havoc across the house, which contains a pool, spa, gym, cinema and wine room. Issy Ronald, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
Where to stay in New Orleans New Orleans hotel options are ample and varied, with newcomers including Hotel Henrietta in the Garden District—with suites of mosaic tile and custom millwork—and Blackbird, a Gothic Victorian with a Palm-Springs–worthy central pool in the Lower Garden District. Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025 Proprietor Julie Moriarty specializes in pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries — including Victorian, art deco, and art nouveau. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for Victorian 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

circa 1865, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Victorian was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near Victorian

Cite this Entry

“Victorian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Victorian. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

Victorian

adjective
Vic·​to·​ri·​an
vik-ˈtōr-ē-ən,
-ˈtȯr-
: of, relating to, or typical of the reign of Queen Victoria of England or of the literature, art, and tastes of her time
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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