Ryukyuan

adjective

Ryu·​kyu·​an rē-ˈyü-ˌkyü-ən How to pronounce Ryukyuan (audio)
-ˌkü-
: of or relating to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan or their people

Examples of Ryukyuan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Some of my favorite brushstroke ceramic pieces in the space were by Okinawan artist Kyoji Matsuda, working to preserve the thousand-year-old heritage of Ryukyuan pottery. — Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ryukyuan was in 1883

Rhymes for Ryukyuan

See All Rhymes for Ryukyuan

Browse Nearby Words

Ryukyu
Ryukyuan
Ryukyu Islands
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ryukyuan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ryukyuan. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nurture

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All