Victorian

1 of 4

adjective (1)

Vic·​to·​ri·​an vik-ˈtȯr-ē-ən 

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

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• bluenosed
• nice-nelly
• prim
• prudish
• puritanical
• straitlaced
• straightlaced

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

Adjective

To find something vintage or in line with your father’s interests, like an Edwardian wishbone or Victorian tennis brooch, try perusing 1stDibs or eBay. —Ella Riley-Adams Jamie Sims Alice Newell-Hanson Jameson Montgomery Jameson Montgomery Caitie Kelly MacKenzie Oster, New York Times, 6 June 2024

This route, which launched in 1876, is one of England's last great Victorian journeys. —Luke Abrahams, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2024

Noun

The brick buildings, which were used to malt barley in Victorian times, now house a concert hall, shops, and galleries. —Kate Maxwell, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024

The neighborhood is home to a variety of Victorian and Queen Anne-style houses; sycamore, palm and walnut trees — and previously, well-to-do and working-class residents. —Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 6 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing Victorian

• post-Victorian

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