ethnic

adjective eth·nic \ ˈeth-nik \

Definition of ethnic

1 a :of or relating to large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background

ethnic minorities

ethnic enclaves

b :being a member of a specified ethnic group

an ethnic German

c :of, relating to, or characteristic of a minority ethnic group

ethnic neighborhoods

ethnic foods

2 :of or relating to the Gentiles or to nations not converted to Christianity :heathen, pagan

… ancient ethnic revels of a faith long since forsaken …
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

See ethnic defined for English-language learners

Examples of ethnic in a Sentence

The U.S. has a wide variety of ethnic groups made up of immigrants or their descendants.
children who were raised in a home where there was a strong ethnic consciousness

Recent Examples of ethnic from the Web

The Home’ that took them in when no one else could Freemasonry brings together men of different religious, ethnic or social backgrounds who share a belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind.

— kristina goetz, The Courier-Journal, "What is a Mason?," 20 July 2017
But identity politics — defined as political activity or movements inspired by cultural, ethnic, gender, racial, religious, or social interests that characterize a group identity — have always existed on college campuses.

— lincoln anthony blades, Teen Vogue, "Colleges and Universities are Becoming Less White, and Republicans Like Them Less," 20 July 2017
Studies have shown that different ethnic groups might respond differently to treatments.

— paula andalo, Kaiser Health News, "Latinos Left Out Of Clinical Trials … And Possible Cures," 19 July 2017
Universal testing has been shown to reduce racial, ethnic and income disparities.

— susan dynarski, New York Times, "How Universal College Admission Tests Help Low-Income Students," 14 July 2017
Researchers surveyed 325 adults who lived in various parts of the United States and were from different racial, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.

— maggie mallon, Glamour, "Black Girls Are Viewed As "Less Innocent" Than White Girls, According to a New Study on Racial Bias," 29 June 2017
Over the next few years the conflict raged over regional, ethnic and religious grievances.

— pat mcdonogh, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville immigrants share stories of terror, love and courage on their road to America," 29 June 2017
In cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the proportion of ethnic minorities could top 60 percent.

— dan levin, New York Times, "A Battle Over Prayer in Schools Tests Canada’s Multiculturalism," 25 June 2017
Along with words that turn voters on or off, Luntz also offered aspiring comedians some advice on ethnic and national approaches to humor.

— glenn garvin, miamiherald, "Mayors get tips on where to find money for policies — and how to sell them to voters," 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ethnic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ethnic

Middle English, from Late Latin ethnicus, from Greek ethnikos national, gentile, from ethnos nation, people; akin to Greek ēthos custom — more at sib

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1542

See Words from the same year

ethnic Synonyms

Synonyms

racial, ethnical, tribal

Antonyms

nonracial

Related Words

familial; folk; kin, kindred; cultural, multiculti, multicultural, national

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

ethnic

noun

Definition of ethnic

chiefly US

:a member of an ethnic group; especially :a member of a minority group who retains the customs, language, or social views of the group

See ethnic defined for English-language learners

See ethnic defined for kids

Recent Examples of ethnic from the Web

The Fula people are a Muslim ethnic group thought to have roots in the Middle East and North Africa, who are now widely dispersed across West Africa.

— martha ross, The Mercury News, "Rachel Dolezal, who famously claimed to be a black woman, takes African name," 2 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of ethnic

1941

Other Sociology Terms

bourgeois, ethos, eugenics, exurb, incommunicado, intelligentsia, megalopolis, metrosexual, mores, subculture

ETHNIC Defined for English Language Learners

ethnic

adjective

Definition of ethnic for English Language Learners

: of or relating to races or large groups of people who have the same customs, religion, origin, etc.
: associated with or belonging to a particular race or group of people who have a culture that is different from the main culture of a country

ethnic

noun

Definition of ethnic for English Language Learners

: a person who belongs to a particular ethnic group

ETHNIC Defined for Kids

ethnic

adjective eth·nic \ ˈeth-nik \

Definition of ethnic for Students

:of or relating to groups of people with common characteristics and customs

ethnic food

—

ethnically

\-ni-kə-lē\ adverb

Learn More about ethnic

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ethnic Spanish Central: Translation of ethnic Nglish: Translation of ethnic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ethnic for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

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

show

ethnic

Definition of ethnic

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of ethnic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ethnic from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ethnic

ethnic Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Other Anthropology Terms

ethnic

Definition of ethnic

Recent Examples of ethnic from the Web

First Known Use of ethnic

Other Sociology Terms

Phrases Related to ETHNIC

Related Phrases

ETHNIC Defined for English Language Learners

ethnic

Definition of ethnic for English Language Learners

ethnic

Definition of ethnic for English Language Learners

ETHNIC Defined for Kids

ethnic

Definition of ethnic for Students

ethnically

Learn More about ethnic

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Words for Trickery and Deception

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

Words of the Year: 1066