Filipino

American  

[fil-uh-pee-noh] / ˌfɪl əˈpi noʊ /

Or filipino

adjective

1. of or relating to inhabitants of the Philippines or to people of Philippine origin or descent; Philippine.

   Filipino immigrants living and working in Hawaii.

---

noun

plural

Filipinos

1. Sometimes Offensive. an inhabitant of the Philippines or a person of Philippine origin or descent.

2. Pilipino.

Filipino British  

/ ˌfɪlɪˈpiːnəʊ /

noun

1. Also (feminine): Filipina.  a native or inhabitant of the Philippines

2. another name for Tagalog

---

adjective

1. of or relating to the Philippines or their inhabitants

Sensitive Note

Use as a noun in reference to a person (e.g., “a Filipino”) is sometimes considered offensive.

Etymology

Origin of Filipino

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Spanish, derived from (las Islas) Filipinas “the Philippine Islands”; Philippines

Example Sentences

The Filipino government has vowed to stockpile a million more barrels of oil, and has not excluded further measures.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

In the state’s ethnic studies curriculum, Chávez is taught alongside other key figures such as Dolores Huerta and Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong, with emphasis on the broader farmworker movement and its diverse contributors.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Among the concertgoers is Jocenhyl Flores, a 35-year-old Filipino living in South Korea, one of the tens of millions of worldwide followers of BTS.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

A Filipino nurse in Dubai who asked to be identified as Jane said she continues to report to work while trying to "emotionally shut out" the constant noise.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Auntie Gemma says in her best Filipino scowl.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio