Spanish

noun

Span·​ish ˈspa-nish 

1

: the Romance language of the largest part of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards

2

plural in construction : the people of Spain

Spanish adjective

Spanishness noun

Examples of Spanish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, one of the officials said the Spanish Embassy in Havana has a significant excess of fuel and had offered it to other European embassies facing similar shortages, only to be denied permission to do so by Cuban authorities. —Matthew Lee, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026

Sosa can be heard yelling in Spanish, accusing officers of abuse, as additional officers arrive on scene. —Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

The child appeared to struggle communicating with his sibling and mother, while his brother repeatedly tried to give directions to him in Spanish with little avail. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026

The most eye-catching part of his work is his bravura treatment of light and shadow, an aspect of the style known as preciosismo in Spanish, in which he was much influenced by Fortuny. —Benjamin Lima special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, adjective, from Middle English Spainish, from Spain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Spanish

• Judeo-Spanish
• Mexican Spanish
• Spanish American
• Spanish bayonet
• Spanish chestnut
• Spanish fly
• Spanish mackerel
• Spanish moss
• Spanish needles
• Spanish omelet
• Spanish onion
• Spanish rice
• the Spanish

Rhymes for Spanish

• banish
• clannish
• mannish
• vanish

Kids Definition

Spanish

noun

Span·​ish ˈspan-ish 

1

: the Romance language of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards

2

Spanish plural : the people of Spain

Spanish adjective