Spanish

[ span-ish ]

/ ˈspæn ɪʃ /

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adjective

of or relating to Spain, its people, or their language.

noun

the Spanish people collectively.

a Romance language, the language of Spain, standard also in most of Latin America except Brazil. Abbreviation: Sp, Sp.

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QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Origin of Spanish

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at Spain, -ish¹

OTHER WORDS FROM Spanish

anti-Spanish, adjectivehalf-Spanish, adjectivenon-Spanish, adjective, nounpre-Spanish, adjective

pro-Spanish, adjectivepseudo-Spanish, adjectivequasi-Spanish, adjective

Words nearby Spanish

spangle, spangled glass, Spanglish, Spaniard, spaniel, Spanish, Spanish America, Spanish American, Spanish-American War, Spanish Arabic, Spanish Armada

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Spanish in a sentence

As India races towards the 4-million mark of Covid-19 positive cases, there are lessons its government can learn from the Spanish influenza pandemic almost a century ago.
The British Raj’s Spanish flu response has a lesson for India’s Covid-19 battle|Manavi Kapur|September 2, 2020|Quartz
In its business filings and on its website, the company — whose name is short for “oportunidad,” Spanish for opportunity — claimed to work with borrowers grappling with cash-flow problems beyond their control.
The Loan Company That Sued Thousands of Low-Income Latinos During the Pandemic|by Kiah Collier, Ren Larson and Perla Trevizo|August 31, 2020|ProPublica
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, meanwhile, is on vacation with his family and hasn’t come out to address the public even as bad news piles up.
Europe is at a turning point as COVID cases spike, and fragile governments feel the heat|Bernhard Warner|August 20, 2020|Fortune
The viewpoint was shared by commercial execs at the Spanish soccer team FC Barcelona.
“It’s been a source of some much-needed income’: Sports clubs are building subscription businesses on Facebook|Seb Joseph|August 18, 2020|Digiday

After the 1570s, it was the Spanish navy that took an active interest in developing their own version of the galleon – thus leading to the Royal Galleons of the Spanish Armada.
Know Your Historical Warships: From 7th Century BC – 17th Century AD|Dattatreya Mandal|April 4, 2020|Realm of History
According to some rumors, Goya was once on staff before his fame as a Spanish painter.
Inside The World’s 10 Oldest Restaurants|Justin Jones|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This concern ceased after the Spanish warned of severe punitive measures on the family members of suicides.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hatuey replied that he would rather burn and be sent to hell than ever again encounter people as cruel as the Spanish.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“They also were responsible for the Barcelona subway plot,” a plan disrupted by Spanish law enforcement in 2008.
Pakistani School Killers Want to Strike the U.S.|Sami Yousafzai, Christopher Dickey|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Any conversation about Spanish-speaking politicians leads back to Bush.
Which Potential Candidates Speak Spanish—and Will It Matter?|Eleanor Clift|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The seed of discontent was again germinating under the duplicity of the Spanish lay and clerical authorities.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Like every other Spanish general in supreme command abroad, Polavieja had his enemies in Spain.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
He has secured the release of certain Spanish prisoners, and is building two ships.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
The cathedral is the only Spanish parochial church; it cares for two thousand four hundred souls.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
The total fresh troops amounted to about 500 men of the 73rd Native Regiment and Spanish cazadores.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman

British Dictionary definitions for Spanish

Spanish

/ (ˈspænɪʃ) /

noun

the official language of Spain, Mexico, and most countries of South and Central America except Brazil: also spoken in Africa, the Far East, and elsewhere. It is the native language of approximately 200 million people throughout the world. Spanish is an Indo-European language belonging to the Romance group

the Spanish (functioning as plural) Spaniards collectively

adjective

of or relating to the Spanish language or its speakers

of or relating to Spain or Spaniards

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012