ethnic

American  

[eth-nik] / ˈɛθ nɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of a people, especially a group ethnic group sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like.

2. referring to the origin, classification, characteristics, etc., of such groups.

3. being a member of an ethnic group, especially of a group that is a minority within a larger society.

   ethnic Chinese in San Francisco.

4. of, relating to, or characteristic of members of such a group.

5. belonging to or deriving from the cultural, religious, or linguistic traditions of a people or country.

   ethnic dances.

   Synonyms:

   indigenous, national, native

6. (of a human being) displaying characteristics, as in physical appearance, language, or accent, that can cause one to be identified by others as a member of a minority ethnic group.

   Her new boyfriend looks ethnic to me.

7. Obsolete. pagan; heathen.

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noun

1. a member of an ethnic group.

ethnic British  

/ ˈɛθnɪk, ɛθˈnɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of a human group having racial, religious, linguistic, and certain other traits in common

2. relating to the classification of mankind into groups, esp on the basis of racial characteristics

3. denoting or deriving from the cultural traditions of a group of people

   the ethnic dances of Slovakia

4. characteristic of another culture

   the ethnic look

   ethnic food

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noun

1. a member of an ethnic group, esp a minority group

Usage

Referring to a person as an ethnic is broadly acceptable in the US, Australia and Canada, but could well cause offence in the UK and elsewhere

Other Word Forms

• ethnically adverb
• ethnicity noun
• interethnic adjective

Etymology

Origin of ethnic

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English ethnik “heathen,” from Late Latin ethnicus, from Greek ethnikós; ethno-, -ic

Example Sentences

“I wanted a group that centered her experience, brilliance and power as a young girl of color,” said Rivera-Amador, who has a master’s degree in ethnic studies from UC San Francisco.

From Los Angeles Times

The Stanford School of Medicine prohibits “unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law,” a spokeswoman said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stanford spokesperson Cecilia Arradaza said the medical school “prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.”

From Los Angeles Times

Chicano studies was more than just a set of classes for Acuña — it was a philosophy that underscored the ethnic pride and cultural awareness spurred by the Chicano movement of the late 1960s and ’70s.

From Los Angeles Times

At Culver City High School, Young’s 12th-grade ethnic studies literature class was in the middle of a unit on stereotyping, racial and ethnic representation and media literacy when the news surfaced.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• indigenous
• national
• traditional
• tribal