ethnic

[ eth-nik ]

/ ˈɛθ nɪk /

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See 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR ethnic

5 native, national, indigenous.

See synonyms for ethnic on Thesaurus.com

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showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Origin of ethnic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM ethnic

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use ethnic in a sentence

These findings come from four nationally representative samples and apply across racial and ethnic groups.
‘Deaths of despair’ are rising. It’s time to define despair|Bruce Bower|November 2, 2020|Science News
Census data highlights increased ethnic diversity and population growth, particularly in the suburbs.
Democrats have a once-in-a-generation opportunity in Texas|matthewheimer|October 30, 2020|Fortune
There, Hmong Americans established their own businesses, ethnic organizations, churches, advocacy groups and cultural and educational institutions to serve the specific needs of the growing Hmong population.
The history of Hmong Americans explains why they might decide the election|Melissa Borja|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
The first decade was spent building businesses, particularly along Lisbon Street, where multiple ethnic groceries, clothing boutiques and phone depots dominate a strip with American flags fluttering freely next to Somali ones.
Are Somali Americans the Swing Vote of the Future?|Nick Fouriezos|October 28, 2020|Ozy

We don’t like to use the term ethnic cleansing … but it happens here.
A Forgotten Election Day Massacre in Florida That Still Haunts Today|Sean Braswell|October 23, 2020|Ozy
And could the word "Russkiy," or 'Russian', offend ethnically non-Russian citizens around the country?
Rebranding The Land of Mongol Warriors & Ivan The Terrible|Anna Nemtsova|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But what is it like to be the embodiment of that, as an ethnically ambiguous individual?
What It's Like To Be Ambiguously Ethnic|The Daily Beast Video|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It has also become, by some measurements, the most ethnically diverse (PDF) region in the country.
Battle of the Upstarts: Houston vs. San Francisco Bay|Joel Kotkin|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Adding insult to injury for these ethnically distinct residents, discrimination and racism are rife on a daily basis.
Hong Kong Demonstrators Reject Racism|Ben Leung|October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The question of whether or not Scott even thought to audition more ethnically accurate performers remains unaddressed.
White Guys Still Get The Best Bible Roles in Hollywood|Lewis Beale|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By allegiance a Bohemian is an Austrian subject, ethnically he belongs to the country of his birth—Bohemia.
Bohemia under Hapsburg Misrule|Various
None the less is M. Berthels account of the Plantagenet school sound both ethnically and sthetically.
How France Built Her Cathedrals|Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
They speak a Tatar language, but some authorities think that they are ethnically a Finnish tribe transformed by Tatar influence.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3|Various
What anthem did Bloom chant partially in anticipation of that multiple, ethnically irreducible consummation?
Ulysses|James Joyce
Our bluest blood has all the shades of common colour in it when examined ethnically.
Mountain Meditations|L. Lind-af-Hageby

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 of ethnic

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 for ethnic

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

ethnic

OTHER WORDS FOR ethnic

Origin of ethnic

OTHER WORDS FROM ethnic

Words related to ethnic

How to use ethnic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ethnic

ethnical

Derived forms of ethnic

Word Origin for ethnic

usage for ethnic