racial

adjective

ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or based on a race (see race entry 1 sense 1a)

a racial minority

2

: existing or occurring between races (see race entry 1 sense 1a)

racial equality

racially

ˈrā-shə-lē 

adverb

see also:

racial group

Synonyms of racial

• ethnic
• ethnical

Examples of racial in a Sentence

What is your racial identity?

There was racial tension on campus.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2021, Clemons helped launch the Wealth Accelerator, which is currently running an accelerated pilot of Connecticut’s baby bonds program in the hopes of learning more about how to close the racial wealth gap. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Still, the dialogue can be witty, and the conflicts, whether racial, sexist or classist, are mildly amusing. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

Previously, Electrek reported that Black Tesla workers at the facility were subjected to racial prejudice by way of wage discrimination, segregation, and racial slurs. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026

Any team that works out Kaepernick invites an immediate circus of scrutiny and racial hysteria. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

race entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing racial

• post-racial
• racial group

Rhymes for racial

• facial
• glacial
• spacial
• spatial
• bifacial
• biracial
• palatial
• postglacial
• preglacial
• subglacial
• craniofacial
• interfacial

Kids Definition

racial

adjective

ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl 

: of, relating to, or based on race

racially

-shə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

racial

adjective

ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl 

: of, relating to, or based on a race