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

A 2020 Harris Poll found 72% prefer traditional architecture for federal buildings, with bipartisan majorities of blacks, Hispanics and whites preferring traditional styles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He explained all this to one of the company’s Hispanic butchers, who suggested he offer a burrito.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

TelevisaUnivision said that amounts to a “Hispanic tax” and is unfair to a channel that serves a fast-growing audience.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Markos Assiouras, a fourth-year student of Hispanic studies, said the potential course closures could harm the UK's reputation for higher education.

Read more on BBC

Brown also flagged the increase in districts where Black or Hispanic voters made up “just barely a majority” of the eligible voting population.

Read more on Salon