Latino

Or la·ti·no

[luh-tee-noh, la-]

adjective

1. of or relating to people of Latin American origin or descent, especially those living in the United States: Latino audiences;

   Latino business owners;

   Latino audiences;

   the Latino community;

   Latino immigrants.

noun

plural

Latinos 

1. a person of Latin American origin or descent, especially one living in the United States.

   a growing population of Latinos in the Midwest.

Latino

/ læˈtiːnəʊ /

noun

1. an inhabitant of the US who is of Latin American origin

Other Word Forms

• Latina noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Latino¹

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; from Spanish (United States), perhaps by ellipsis from Spanish latinoamericano “Latin American,” equivalent to latino “Latin” (referring to the places or people with Latinate or Romance language in common) + americano “American”

Example Sentences

Civil rights advocates stress that ending birthright citizenship would disproportionately impact immigrant communities, particularly Latino and Asian populations, and could spark nationwide legal challenges.

From Salon

According to prosecutors, he oversaw the lucrative schemes the Mexican Mafia uses to extract money from the 6,000 or so Latino prisoners who make up more than half of the county’s male inmate population.

From Los Angeles Times

The suit followed a January operation in Kern County called “Operation Return to Sender,” in which agents swarmed a Home Depot and Latino market, among other areas frequented by laborers.

From Los Angeles Times

“You are voting against your own interests as a Latino,” I told him.

From Los Angeles Times

After ICE agents hear from protesters that there are “many Latinos in heaven,” they make the pearly gates their next stop.

From Los Angeles Times