Hispanic

[hi-span-ik]

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.

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

/ hɪˈspænɪk /

adjective

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

noun

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

Usage

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

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).

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hispanic¹

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

Example Sentences

This has forced many Latino communities to cancel Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.

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By the way, the DBE category for “Hispanic” contractors also included those of “Portuguese culture.”

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“We didn’t even really think of ourselves really as, like, Hispanic — I mean, we all were, but it wasn’t the end-all be-all,” Barrios said.

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Here in Washington state, Democrats have weaponized it against the Hispanic population to enhance their own power at the expense of a majority Latino electorate.

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It declined in 2024, but so did turnout for whites and Hispanics.

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