Definition

Noun: 1. A language: A Magadhan language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European family. It is the official language of the Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) and is spoken primarily by the Oriya people. 2. A member of a people: A person who belongs to the ethnic group native to the Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) and neighboring areas.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Language):
  • She is learning to read and write in Oriya.
  • The ancient temple inscriptions are written in Oriya.
• Noun (People):
  • He is an Oriya from the coastal region.
  • The Oriya have a rich cultural tradition of music and dance.

Advanced Usage

• The term can function attributively as an adjective to describe things related to the language, people, or culture.
  • The Oriya script is distinct from the Devanagari script.
  • We enjoyed a traditional Oriya meal.

Variants and Related Words

• Odisha: The modern official name for the Indian state formerly known as Orissa. The language is sometimes referred to in this context as the language of Odisha.
• Odia: An alternative and increasingly standard spelling for the language and the people, aligning with the native pronunciation and the state's name change to Odisha.

Synonyms

• Odia (preferred modern synonym for both the language and the people).

Noun

1. a Magadhan language that is spoken by the Oriya and is the official language of the Indian state of Orissa
2. a member of a people in India living in Orissa and neighboring areas