Definition of ethnic
1a : 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 enclavesb : being a member of a specified ethnic group an ethnic Germanc : 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
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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
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
First Known Use: 1542
Other Anthropology Terms
ethnic
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
1941
First Known Use of ethnic
1941
Other Sociology Terms
ETHNIC Defined for English Language Learners
ethnic
playDefinition of ethnic for English Language Learners
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: of or relating to races or large groups of people who have the same customs, religion, origin, etc.
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: 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
Definition of ethnic for English Language Learners
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: a person who belongs to a particular ethnic group
ETHNIC Defined for Kids
ethnic
playDefinition of ethnic for Students
: of or relating to groups of people with common characteristics and customs ethnic food
ethnically
\-ni-kə-lē\ adverbLearn More about ethnic
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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
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