Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Spanish

noun Span·ish \ ˈspa-nish \

Definition of Spanish

1 : the Romance language of the largest part of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards
2 plural in construction : the people of Spain
—

Spanish

adjective
—

Spanishness

noun

See Spanish defined for English-language learners

See Spanish defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of spanish

Spanish, adjective, from Middle English Spainish, from Spain

Other Language Terms

cognate, collocation, homonym

Phrases Related to SPANISH

Related Phrases

SPANISH Defined for English Language Learners

Spanish

noun

Definition of Spanish for English Language Learners

  • : the language of Spain, Mexico, and many countries in Latin America

  • the Spanish : the people of Spain : Spanish people

SPANISH Defined for Kids

1

Spanish

adjective Span·ish \ ˈspa-nish \

Definition of Spanish for Students

: of or relating to Spain, its people, or the Spanish language
2

Spanish

noun

Definition of Spanish for Students

1 : the language of Spain and the countries colonized by Spaniards
2 Spanish plural : the people of Spain

Learn More about spanish

  1. See words that rhyme with Spanish Spanish Central: Translation of Spanish Nglish: Translation of Spanish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of Spanish for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up Spanish? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

voracity

play

the quality or state of being insatiable

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Spanish

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games