ethnic

[ eth-nik ]

/ ˈɛθ nɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ethnic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

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

being a member of an ethnic group, especially of a group that is a minority within a larger society: ethnic Chinese in San Francisco.

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

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

(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.

Obsolete. pagan; heathen.

noun

a member of an ethnic group.

Nearby words

ethmoidectomy, ethmoiditis, ethmoturbinal, ethnarch, ethnarchy, ethnic, ethnic cleansing, ethnic minority, ethnical, ethnically, ethnicity

Origin of ethnic

1325–75; Middle English ethnik heathen < Late Latin ethnicus < Greek ethnikós. See ethno-, -ic

SYNONYMS FOR ethnic

5 native, national, indigenous.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ethnic ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

eth·ni·cal·ly, adverbin·ter·eth·nic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ethnic

But a 2011 study of genetic evidence from 30 ethnic groups in India disproved this theory.
The Himalayas’ Hidden Aryans|Nina Strochlic|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He proposed among other things that police departments must better reflect the ethnic makeup of the populace.
Darren Wilson Wasn’t Indicted—the System Was|Michael Daly|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Army officials also allege that he worked for ethnic rebels as a “communications captain.”
Hope and Change? Burma Kills a Journalist Before Obama Arrives|Joshua Carroll|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What seemed to be an old political rivalry took on ethnic overtones, with the very survival of entire communities now at stake.
‘The Good Lie’ and the Hard Truths of South Sudan|John Prendergast|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Of course, not all ethnic minorities agree with the demonstrators.
Hong Kong Demonstrators Reject Racism|Ben Leung|October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As ethnic religions, they shared the fortunes of the race or nation with which they were associated.
Ten Great Religions|James Freeman Clarke
It does not appear that he sufficiently allows for ethnic influence in decorative art.
Evolution in Art|Alfred C. Haddon
They are the art remains of a population whose name, age, and ethnic affinities are totally unknown.
Spain|Wentworth Webster
During the long period of Turkish rule they provided sanctuaries for the preservation of ethnic identity.
Area Handbook for Albania|Eugene K. Keefe
We have members from virtually every racial, ethnic, and religious background.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ethnic

ethnic

ethnical

/ (ˈɛθnɪk) /

adjective

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

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

denoting or deriving from the cultural traditions of a group of peoplethe ethnic dances of Slovakia

characteristic of another culturethe ethnic look; ethnic food

noun

mainly US and Australian a member of an ethnic group, esp a minority group

Derived Forms

ethnically, adverbethnicity (ɛθˈnɪsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for ethnic

C14 (in the senses: heathen, Gentile): from Late Latin ethnicus, from Greek ethnikos, from ethnos race

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012