Hispanic

1 of 2

adjective

His·​pan·​ic hi-ˈspa-nik 

1

: of, relating to, or being a native of Spanish-speaking Latin America or a descendant of such a person

Hispanic people/cultures

the Hispanic Caribbean

… Hispanic communities in and outside of Latin America.

—Angely Mercado

especially : of, relating to, or being Hispanic people living in the U.S.

the state's Hispanic voters

There is no monolithic Hispanic vote, in Texas or anywhere else.

—Tina Aviles

Hispanic residents of Broward and Palm Beach counties have backgrounds that are Cuban, Puerto Rican, Mexican and from many countries in Central and South America.

—Anthony Man

2

: of or relating to the people, speech, or culture of Spain

Hispanic noun

Hispanicism

hi-ˈspa-nə-ˌsi-zəm 

noun

Hispanicist

hi-ˈspa-nə-sist 

noun

Hispanicize

hi-ˈspa-nə-ˌsīz 

transitive verb

Hispanicist

2 of 2

noun

His·​pan·​i·​cist -səst 

plural -s

: hispanist

Examples of Hispanic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Capitalizing on a time of deindustrialization and demographic changes in a heavily Hispanic city, the law galvanized a base of white, working-class supporters. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

An on-site kitchen produces tamales and daily and weekend specials like barbacoa and menudo, while the in-house bakery turns out bolillos, pan dulce and other Hispanic breads and pastries. — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Hispanic voters, which helped fuel the president’s return back to the White House in 2024, 75 percent disapprove. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

This year, swing districts with large Hispanic populations could help decide which party controls the House. — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin hispanicus, from Hispania Iberian Peninsula, Spain

First Known Use

Adjective

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing Hispanic

• non-Hispanic
• pre-Hispanic

Rhymes for Hispanic

• botanic
• brahmanic
• britannic
• galvanic
• germanic
• koranic
• mechanic
• organic
• puranic
• quranic
• romanic
• satanic

Kids Definition

Hispanic

adjective

His·​pan·​ic his-ˈpan-ik 

1

: of or relating to the people, culture, or speech of Spain

2

: of, relating to, or being a person living in the U.S. from or whose ancestors were from Latin America

Hispanic noun