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

The four families are ethnic Chinese, and had close ties to the authorities on the Chinese side of the border in Yunnan.

From BBC

In the end, it was an escalation in the junta's conflict with ethnic armies that led to the downfall of the mafia in Laukkaing.

From BBC

The 38-year-old read about Chinese ill treatment of the ethnic Uyghurs from foreign sources on the internet, and he traveled to Xinjiang province at great personal risk to see for himself.

From The Wall Street Journal

The study highlights significant disparities across states, ages, and racial and ethnic groups.

From Los Angeles Times

Dancing to drums in downtown Yangon, the crowd of nationalist activists and saffron-robed monks twirled miniature national flags and toted banners denying accusations of ethnic cleansing being levelled at The Hague.

From Barron's

Related Words

• indigenous
• national
• traditional
• tribal