european

european — adjective

1. connected with the continent of Europe through location, culture, origin, or mem

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

connected with the continent of Europe through location, culture, origin, or membership of its institutions — for example, European countries, European music, or European law.

Example

Lan visited several European cities during her summer break in France.

attributive use before a plural noun

The architecture of the old town square looks distinctly European.

predicative use after 'looks'

Common collocations
  • European country
  • European city
  • European culture
  • European history
  • European law
  • European food
  • European languages
Synonyms
  • Continental

    mainly British English, often refers to mainland Europe (excluding the British Isles); less common as a general synonym

  • Western

    broader meaning that includes North America and other regions; less precise than 'European'

Antonyms
  • non-European

    direct opposite; used for anything outside Europe

  • Asian

    contrasts Europe with Asia on the same continental level

Grammar Patterns

European + noun

be + European

Usage Note

Always capitalise the E — 'European' is a proper adjective derived from the continent name Europe.

Common Mistakes

I bought an European car.
I bought a European car.
'European' starts with a consonant sound /j/, so use 'a', not 'an'.

european — noun

Word family

  • Europe
    noun (proper)A1
  • Europeanise
    verbC1
  • Europeanisation
    nounC1
  • pro-European
    adjectiveB2
  • anti-European
    adjectiveB2
  • Eurosceptic
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'European' is the standard, neutral term for anything connected with Europe — its countries, people, culture, or institutions. In British English, 'Continental' sometimes replaces 'European' when referring to mainland Europe (excluding the British Isles), as in 'Continental breakfast' or 'Continental philosophy', but it sounds dated or region-specific in most contexts. 'Western' is much broader and includes Europe, North America, Australia, and other regions shaped by European-derived cultures. Use 'Western' for political or cultural groupings (Western civilisation, Western values), but choose 'European' when you mean Europe specifically — for example, 'European countries joined the climate agreement' is precise, while 'Western countries' would also include the United States and Canada.

European ↗Continental ↗Western ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • European Union
  • European Commission
  • European market
  • European style

Adverbs

  • distinctly European
  • typically European
  • thoroughly European

Phrases

  • European way of life
  • European standards
  • European continent

Prepositions

  • from Europe
  • in Europe
  • across Europe

Etymology

PhoenicianGreekLatinFrenchEnglish

'European' comes from the Latin word 'Eurōpaeus', meaning 'of Europe', combined with the English suffix '-an' meaning 'belonging to'. The continent name 'Europe' traces back through Latin and Greek ('Eurōpē') to a Phoenician word that may have meant 'west' (from the perspective of the eastern Mediterranean). In Greek mythology, Europa was a Phoenician princess whom Zeus carried to Crete, giving the continent its legendary name.