Martian
|mar-tian|
🇺🇸
/ˈmɑrʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˈmɑːʃ(ə)n/
of or from Mars; alien
Etymology
'Martian' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'Martianus', where 'Mart-' related to 'Mars'.
'Martianus' changed into Middle English forms such as 'martien' or 'martian' and eventually became the modern English word 'Martian'.
Initially it meant 'of or relating to Mars or the god Mars', and over time it evolved to mean 'relating to the planet Mars' and 'an inhabitant of Mars'; it later gained a figurative sense of 'alien' or 'strange'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an imagined or hypothetical inhabitant of the planet Mars, especially in fiction or speculation.
The story describes a peaceful Martian who befriends a human scientist.
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Adjective 1
relating to the planet Mars.
Scientists studied Martian rocks to learn about the planet's history.
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Adjective 2
strange, unfamiliar, or otherworldly; seeming to come from another world.
The architecture had a Martian quality that made visitors uneasy.
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Last updated: 2026/01/16 18:53