Hispanic

American  

[hi-span-ik] / hɪˈspæn ɪk /

adjective

1. Spanish.

2. of or relating to Spanish-speaking Latin America.

   the United States and its Hispanic neighbors.

3. Also Hispano of or relating to people of Spanish-speaking descent: the Hispanic vote;

   Hispanic students;

   the Hispanic vote;

   Hispanic communities.

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noun

1. Also called Hispano-American.  Also called Hispanic American.  a citizen or resident of the United States who is of Spanish or Spanish-speaking Latin American descent.

2. a person whose primary or native language is Spanish.

Hispanic British  

/ hɪˈspænɪk /

adjective

1. relating to, characteristic of, or derived from Spain or Spanish-speaking countries

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noun

1. a person of Latin-American or Spanish descent living in the US

Usage

Some words that describe national or ethnic identities are acceptable as plural nouns, but are more controversial as singular nouns. This is the case for Hispanic. It’s often acceptable as a plural noun (a candidate favored by Hispanics ). However, it may sometimes be less so as a singular noun (the candidate who is a Hispanic ). Such words are always perfectly appropriate as adjectives (strategies to get Hispanic voters to the polls).

his is the word most generally used in the US to refer to people of Latin American or Spanish ancestry

Other Word Forms

• Hispanically adverb
• non-Hispanic adjective
• pre-Hispanic adjective
• trans-Hispanic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Hispanic

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin hispānicus, “Spanish”; Hispania, -ic

Example Sentences

Mario H. Lopez is the president of the Hispanic Leadership Fund, a public policy advocacy organization that promotes liberty, opportunity and prosperity for all.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Another effort at GOP outreach to Hispanic voters culminated in President George W. Bush taking approximately 40% of the Latino vote in 2004.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

A five-block stretch of mostly Hispanic merchants on East Lake Street has more foot traffic and almost every empty storefront has sprung back to life since a reporter visited in January.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

But Talarico carried suburbs with affluent white liberals and areas with large numbers of Hispanic voters – including San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley along the US-Mexico border.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

In 1969 the school had been 94 percent white and 6 percent Hispanic.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger