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; see ethno-, -ic

Explanation

An ethnic group encompasses a group of people with a unique culture. People from Bosnia form an ethnic group called Bosnians, and they share common cultural traditions, which often focus on hospitality and family. The word ethnic comes from the Greek ethnos, "nation," "people." Groups of people from specific areas who share the same or similar customs are ethnic groups. People who resettle in other countries often bring their distinctive traditions with them, including language, food, lifestyle, and music. There are ethnic restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods around the world, including Indian buffets, Italian shoe makers, and Greek Towns and China Towns.

Example Sentences

Children attend school and interactions with other ethnic groups are no longer prohibited, as used to be the Hadzabe’s custom.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

Saturday's festivities outside and inside parliament are laden with symbolism, featuring flags and music that pays tribute to Hungary's EU membership, its sizeable Roma minority and ethnic Hungarians in neighbouring countries.

From Barron's • May 9, 2026

But anyone who thinks of what happened as a flex of ethnic power isn’t paying attention.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Cleverly later told the ombudsman's office she had "worked in BME communities" - black and minority ethnic - in her career as a youth and community worker and had "lots of BME friends".

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

They rushed to assure me that my ethnic identity had given me no more than a foot inside the door, at most a slight edge.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• indigenous
• national
• traditional
• tribal