Portuguese

noun

Por·​tu·​guese ˈpȯr-chə-ˌgēz How to pronounce Portuguese (audio)
-ˌgēs;
ˌpȯr-chə-ˈgēz,
-ˈgēs How to pronounce Portuguese (audio)
plural Portuguese
1
a
: a native or inhabitant of Portugal
b
: one who is of Portuguese descent
2
: the Romance language of Portugal and Brazil
Portuguese adjective

Examples of Portuguese in a Sentence

She is teaching her son Portuguese. the customs of the Portuguese

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese português, adjective & noun, from Portugal

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Portuguese was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Portuguese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Portuguese. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

Portuguese

noun
Por·​tu·​guese ˈpōr-chə-ˌgēz How to pronounce Portuguese (audio) ˈpȯr- How to pronounce Portuguese (audio)
-ˌgēs;
ˌpōr-chə-ˈgēz,
ˌpȯr-,
-ˈgēs
plural Portuguese
1
: a person born or living in Portugal
2
: the language of Portugal and Brazil
Portuguese adjective
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