Southeast Asian

1 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Southeast Asia (a region of indefinite boundaries usually thought of as including Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam and sometimes Singapore, Indonesia, and/or the Philippines) or its people

Southeast Asian

2 of 2

noun

plural Southeast Asians
1
: a native or inhabitant of Southeast Asia
2
: a person of Southeast Asian descent

Examples of Southeast Asian in a Sentence

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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
Sushi is big right now, and there are a few Southeast Asian restaurants coming up. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 However, Marcos said his Administration would still study whether such a ban could work in the Southeast Asian nation of more than 110 million people. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 14 Oct. 2026 China has stepped up cooperation with Southeast Asian nations to crack down on a vast industry that has flourished in the region in recent years to fleece people out of billions of dollars. — CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Asked whether Amata might expand into other Southeast Asian markets, like Indonesia or Cambodia, Kromadit says the company already has enough land to occupy him for the rest of his life. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Southeast Asian

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1898, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Southeast Asian was in 1898

Rhymes for Southeast Asian

See All Rhymes for Southeast Asian

Browse Nearby Words

Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian
southeast by east
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Southeast Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Southeast%20Asian. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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