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.

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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

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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

Philippine Navy spokesman Rear Adm Roy Vincent Trinidad said Filipino troops had seized 10 bottles of cyanide from sampan boats allegedly launched from Chinese fishing vessels in February, July and October last year.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

“Because we want to open the door to more Filipino art.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 30, 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

“Go eat, go eat,” says Lola Juaning—the first words I hear when I walk into any Filipino party.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio