ethnic

American  

[eth-nik] / ˈɛθ nɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of a people, especially a group ethnic group sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like.

2. referring to the origin, classification, characteristics, etc., of such groups.

3. being a member of an ethnic group, especially of a group that is a minority within a larger society.

   ethnic Chinese in San Francisco.

4. of, relating to, or characteristic of members of such a group.

5. belonging to or deriving from the cultural, religious, or linguistic traditions of a people or country.

   ethnic dances.

   Synonyms:

   indigenous, national, native

6. (of a human being) displaying characteristics, as in physical appearance, language, or accent, that can cause one to be identified by others as a member of a minority ethnic group.

   Her new boyfriend looks ethnic to me.

7. Obsolete. pagan; heathen.

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noun

1. a member of an ethnic group.

ethnic British  

/ ˈɛθnɪk, ɛθˈnɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of a human group having racial, religious, linguistic, and certain other traits in common

2. relating to the classification of mankind into groups, esp on the basis of racial characteristics

3. denoting or deriving from the cultural traditions of a group of people

   the ethnic dances of Slovakia

4. characteristic of another culture

   the ethnic look

   ethnic food

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noun

1. a member of an ethnic group, esp a minority group

Usage

Referring to a person as an ethnic is broadly acceptable in the US, Australia and Canada, but could well cause offence in the UK and elsewhere

Other Word Forms

• ethnically adverb
• ethnicity noun
• interethnic adjective

Etymology

Origin of ethnic

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English ethnik “heathen,” from Late Latin ethnicus, from Greek ethnikós; ethno-, -ic

Example Sentences

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is home to more than 250 ethnic groups and is roughly divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a largely Christian south, with significant mixing in central regions.

From BBC

Exiled voters represent only a fraction of ethnic Tibetans -- whom the CTA estimates at six million worldwide, compared with more than seven million China counted in its 2020 census.

From Barron's

Thaipusam is marked with particular zest in multicultural Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation where ethnic Indians make up about seven percent of the 34 million population.

From Barron's

South Africa has several recognised monarchs representing different ethnic groups and clans, but they have no formal political power.

From BBC

He pointed out that "opposition candidates and some ethnic groups were excluded" from standing in the election, which had its first round on 28 December.

From BBC

Related Words

• indigenous
• national
• traditional
• tribal