World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesMayan
/ˈmaɪ.ən/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Relating to the Maya people, their civilization, culture, or their linguistic family.
"Archaeologists recently discovered a new palace in the ancient Mayan city."
- 1
A member of any of the Mesoamerican peoples who speak a Mayan language, or the language family itself.
"Scholars of Mayan have made great strides in deciphering ancient hieroglyphs."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Maya, an indigenous people of southern Mexico and Central America, combined with the English adjectival suffix -an. The term ultimately traces back to the Yucatec Maya language name for themselves or the ancient city of Mayapan. It entered English usage in the 19th century through archaeological and anthropological reports concerning Mesoamerican civilizations.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Mayan"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Mayan" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
maya
Transliteration: maja
"La civilisation maya a construit des pyramides impressionnantes."
Maya
Transliteration: maja
"Die Maya entwickelten ein komplexes Kalendersystem."
maya
Transliteration: maja
"La cultura maya continua a influenzare la regione."
maya
Transliteration: maja
"El idioma maya es hablado por millones de personas."
maia
Transliteration: maja
"A civilização maia é famosa por sua avançada matemática."
माया
Transliteration: maya
"माया सभ्यता अपने उन्नत खगोल विज्ञान के लिए जानी जाती है।"
玛雅
Transliteration: mǎ yǎ
"玛雅文明留下了许多神秘的遗迹。"
마야
Transliteration: maya
"마야 문명은 독창적인 상형문자를 사용했습니다."
マヤ
Transliteration: maya
"マヤ文明の遺跡は世界中から観光客を引き付けています。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsA visitor or attendee whose arrival was not anticipated or announced beforehand.
Causing strong emotional or ideological reactions because it relates to political issues, power dynamics, or government policies.
Deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss; the state of being saved.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Mayan"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
How Many Chapters Are in 'The Book Thief'?
Markus Zusak’s *The Book Thief* contains 80 main chapters divided across 10 main parts, framed by a Prologue and an Epilogue. Counting the sub-sections in the prologue and epilogue, the novel comprises 88 total titled sections.