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

However, further research is needed to determine whether these findings apply across different ethnic groups and regions.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

It was joined by Proud Lillywhites - the LGBTQI+ Supporters' Association, and SpursREACH, which promotes the values of fans from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The Stanford School of Medicine prohibits “unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law,” a spokeswoman said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Young, who also oversees the school’s broader ethnic studies program, said Chávez’s name has “of course” come up in classes during her decade of teaching in Culver City.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

By the nineteenth century many of the majority ethnic Magyars in Hungary were dejected by their lack of self-government - though Liszt himself was far from the turmoil for most of his life.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• indigenous
• national
• traditional
• tribal