Latin

1 of 2

adjective

Lat·​in ˈla-tᵊn 

1

a

: of, relating to, or composed in Latin

b

: romance

2

: of or relating to Latium or the Latins

3

: of or relating to the part of the Catholic Church that until recently used a Latin rite and forms the patriarchate of the pope

4

: of or relating to the peoples or countries using Romance languages

specifically : of or relating to the peoples or countries of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2

noun

1

: the Italic language of ancient Latium and of Rome and until modern times the dominant language of school, church, and state in western Europe see Indo-European Languages Table

2

: a member of the people of ancient Latium

3

: a Catholic of the Latin rite

4

: a member of one of the Latin peoples

specifically : a native or inhabitant of Latin America

5

: latin alphabet

Examples of Latin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The festival poster featured Argentine acting legend Ricardo Darín, a nod to the fest’s connections with Latin American cinema, which had close to 100 titles in the various sections this edition. — Jennifer Green, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026

Related On the 10-track set, Santiler, a former 2025 Billboard On the Radar Latin artist, seamlessly navigates from alternative to jazz to electronic, while fearlessly redefining Latin pop music. — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026

Noun

Brazil faces uncertain diplomatic future after elections Brazil’s election this weekend will reshape the diplomatic strategy of Latin America’s biggest economy, analysts said. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Messi and the Giants is executive produced by Kurt Mueller, Bryan Korn, Lacey Stanton and Guy Toubes for Sony Pictures Television; Afo Verde for Sony Music Latin Iberia; and Tom Mackay and Sergi Reitg for Sony Music Vision. — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Latinus, from Latium, ancient country of Italy

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Latin

• Late Latin
• Latin alphabet
• Latin American
• Latin Americanist
• Latin cross
• Latin square
• Low Latin
• Medieval Latin
• Neo-Latin
• New Latin
• Old Latin
• Pig Latin
• Vulgar Latin

Rhymes for Latin

• batten
• craton
• fatten
• flatten
• gratin
• gratton
• lattin
• matin
• paten
• patten
• platen
• ratan

Kids Definition

Latin

1 of 2 adjective

Lat·​in ˈlat-ᵊn 

1

a

: of, relating to, or composed in Latin

Latin grammar

b

: romance

Latin languages

2

: of or relating to that part of the Catholic Church that formerly used a Latin rite

3

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the countries or peoples of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2 noun

1

: the Italic language of ancient Rome

2

: an ancient Roman

3

: a member of one of the peoples speaking Romance languages

especially : a person born or living in Latin America