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

That has led to a surge in "healthcare avoidance" in the Somali and Hispanic communities, it reported.

From Barron's

A Pew Research Center survey showed that 61 percent of Hispanic voters are dissatisfied with the US president's economic policies and that 65 percent reject his anti-immigration policies.

From Barron's

Then in 2006, I was an undergrad at the University of North Texas, and I got a Hispanic Scholarship Award.

From Los Angeles Times

Along a section of East Lake Street near Interstate 35W that is home to many small businesses—mostly Hispanic—at least nine appeared ready for customers yet had locked doors, minimal lighting and no employees.

From The Wall Street Journal

Similarly, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus indicated to Politico that it would also be supporting reforms to ICE.

From Salon