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

From a distance of at least fifty yards, the group launched fireworks in the air, and relayed messages of encouragement in Spanish through the bullhorn. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2026

Dressed in beige prison outfits and separated from each other by their lawyers, Maduro and his wife wore headsets to hear the translation of the proceedings into Spanish and appeared to be listening intently as the arguments were presented. —Adam Reiss, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026

Fire crews from Gardner, Rye and Spanish Peaks fire departments and a hotshot crew all responded to the fire, officials said. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026

The siege was part of the Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678), a French war of conquest that aimed to seize control of the Spanish Netherlands. —Jack Guy, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 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