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

Beginner/Intermediate Class 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. and Intermediate Class 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Jeannette Caruth learned Spanish solely through conversation and invites you to become more familiar with the language. —Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025

Carissa, who is also fluent in Spanish, is known for memorizing movie lines, cooking, swimming – and now, thanks to her viral video, running with unstoppable determination. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 12 July 2025

One woman, who spoke to reporters in Spanish, said that her husband was detained inside. U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz also attended the tour. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025

The closest thing might be the football played by Japan during their first four matches at that 2023 World Cup, which included a 4-0 group-stage destruction of the Spanish. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 July 2025

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