occidental
LowFormal, Literary, Academic
Definition
Meaning
relating to the countries of the West, especially Europe and the Americas; western.
Derived from the Latin for "western," it also refers to western culture, languages, or systems of thought. Can be used as a noun to denote a native or inhabitant of the West.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in contrast to 'Oriental' (though this latter term is now often considered outdated or offensive). It is a formal, sometimes historical or ideological term describing Western societies, cultures, or perspectives.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, predominantly in formal and academic contexts. The noun form to refer to a person ('an Occidental') is rare and can sound dated.
Connotations
May carry connotations of a historical or classical perspective on world cultures. Can imply a Eurocentric worldview.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both BrE and AmE. More common in historical texts, political philosophy, and cultural studies.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Adj] + occidental + [N]contrast with + orientalin + (the) occidental + traditionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The word itself is often used in fixed phrases like 'Occidental mind' or 'Occidental ways'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts discussing cultural differences in global marketing (e.g., 'occidental business practices').
Academic
Common in history, anthropology, cultural studies, and political science to describe Western societies or ideologies.
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in specific fields like comparative religion or philosophy to delineate Western traditions from others.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- No standard verb form.
American English
- No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form ('occidentally' is extremely rare).
American English
- No standard adverb form ('occidentally' is extremely rare).
adjective
British English
- The exhibition contrasted occidental and oriental artistic styles.
- He specialised in occidental medieval manuscripts.
American English
- The course focuses on Occidental philosophy from Plato to Nietzsche.
- The report analysed Occidental influences on global trade norms.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is a map of occidental countries.
- London is an occidental city.
- The museum has a section for occidental art.
- Some occidental customs are different from ours.
- The scholar's work examines the influence of occidental thought on Asian legal systems.
- The term 'occidental' is less common in everyday language than 'western'.
- Postcolonial theory often critiques the hegemony of occidental epistemology.
- The dichotomy between the Oriental and the Occidental has been a persistent theme in historical discourse.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sun setting in the WEST. 'Occidental' comes from Latin 'occidens' meaning 'setting sun' (west). So, occidental = western.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WEST IS A CULTURAL ENTITY (often contrasted with THE EAST).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'occasional' (случайный). The Russian cognate 'окцидентальный' is a direct loan but is highly formal and academic.
- Avoid using it as a simple synonym for 'western' in everyday contexts where 'западный' is perfectly adequate.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'occidential'.
- Using it in informal speech where 'Western' is more natural.
- Using the noun form ('an Occidental') which is now considered outdated and potentially offensive by some.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'occidental' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, traditionally it is. However, both terms, especially 'oriental', are now often avoided in modern social and anthropological contexts due to their historical baggage and broad generalizations. 'Western' and 'Eastern' are more neutral contemporary alternatives.
The noun form ('He is an Occidental') is considered very dated and potentially offensive, as it categorizes people based on a broad, often stereotypical, geographical-cultural concept. It is best avoided. Use 'Westerner' with caution, or better yet, specify nationality (e.g., French, American).
In meaning, they are synonyms. However, 'occidental' is a formal, academic, or literary term derived from Latin. 'Western' is the standard, neutral term used in all registers of modern English. You will almost always use 'western' in conversation and most writing.
In British English: /ˌɒk.sɪˈden.təl/ (ok-si-DEN-tuhl). In American English: /ˌɑːk.səˈden.t̬əl/ (ahk-suh-DEN-tuhl). The main difference is the first vowel (/ɒ/ vs /ɑː/) and the 't' sound in the last syllable.