Spanish

noun

Span·​ish ˈspa-nish 

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

Examples of Spanish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sutter was a Swiss immigrant who spoke English, French and Spanish. —Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026

Locals speak Papiamentu, a blend of Dutch, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English. —Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026

Afterward, retreat to the nearby Casa Palmero, The Inn at Spanish Bay or The Lodge at Pebble Beach, which overlooks the dramatic 18th green at Pebble Beach Golf Links, arguably golf’s greatest finishing hole. —Katie Sweeney, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Spanish Landing Park, 3900 North Harbor Drive. —Holly Alvarado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, adjective, from Middle English Spainish, from Spain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Spanish

• Judeo-Spanish
• Mexican Spanish
• Spanish American
• Spanish bayonet
• Spanish chestnut
• Spanish fly
• Spanish mackerel
• Spanish moss
• Spanish needles
• Spanish omelet
• Spanish onion
• Spanish rice
• the Spanish

Rhymes for Spanish

• banish
• clannish
• mannish
• vanish

Kids Definition

Spanish

noun

Span·​ish ˈspan-ish 

1

: the Romance language of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards

2

Spanish plural : the people of Spain

Spanish adjective