Asia
/ˈeɪ.ʒə/noun
The continent east of Europe and north of the Indian Ocean; also a historical region of western Anatolia.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a name used by Greeks for a region in western Anatolia, and its deeper origin is uncertain, which makes it one of geography’s oldest surviving mysteries.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἀσία (Asía)
“A name for a region in western Anatolia and surrounding lands”
Latin
Latin
Asia
“A province and geographic region taken over from Greek usage”
Old French
Old French
Asie
“The continent or large eastern landmass”
Middle English
English
Asie
“A major eastern continent or region”
Modern English
English
Asia
“The continent east of Europe and north of the Indian Ocean”