adjective
-
denoting or relating to the division of the human species into races on grounds of physical characteristics
-
characteristic of any such group
-
relating to or arising from differences between the races
racial harmony
-
of or relating to a subspecies
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of racial
Explanation
Something racial is related to the characteristics people have because of their genetic or ethnic origins. Racial differences sometimes lead to racial tension. Members of the same racial group share a very old genetic connection — their ancestors lived in the same part of the world, and they're distantly related. When people talk about "racial diversity," they mean that many of these groups are represented, for example, in a single city. The noun race is at the heart of the adjective racial, and it comes from Old French, with an Italian root word, razza, "race, breed, lineage, or family."
Vocabulary lists containing racial
Tears of a Tiger
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Promises to Keep
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Voice That Challenged a Nation
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ch Insp Stephen McManus, of Police Scotland, admits that racial tensions have become a bigger part of the job.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
Every institution receiving federal funds should be required to disclose the full racial and statistical profile of applicants, admitted students and matriculants.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
According to the poll, majorities of voters across age, gender and racial categories prefer Becerra — with particularly strong support among women, younger voters and Black Californians.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
That gap is not primarily a story about rising working-class racial resentment.
From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2026
That said, life for Colored people during the era of racial segregation was both humiliating and dangerous.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
