ethnicity
6 synonyms for ethnicity, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The fact of belonging to a group defined by shared ancestry, culture, or nationality; or that group itself.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
ethnic origin
How to use ethnicity
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
different ethnicities
ethnicity and race
Frequently asked questions
What does “ethnicity” mean?
The word “ethnicity” means the fact of belonging to a group defined by shared ancestry, culture, or nationality; or that group itself. In plain terms, a person's membership in a group defined by shared culture, ancestry, or nationality.
How do you pronounce “ethnicity”?
“Ethnicity” is pronounced ehth-NIH-sih-tee (/ɛθˈnɪsɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “ethnicity” in a sentence?
Here is “ethnicity” used in a sentence: “The survey asked respondents to state their ethnicity.”
What part of speech is “ethnicity”?
“Ethnicity” is a noun.
Is “ethnicity” a common word?
“Ethnicity” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between ethnicity and race?
Ethnicity refers to belonging to a group defined by shared ancestry, culture, language, or nationality, while race is typically categorized by shared physical characteristics. The two concepts often overlap but are not identical: people of the same race can belong to different ethnicities, and people of the same ethnicity can identify with different races.
What is the difference between ethnicity and nationality?
Ethnicity is based on shared ancestry, culture, or heritage, while nationality refers to legal membership in a country, typically through citizenship. A person can hold one nationality while identifying with an ethnicity tied to a different cultural or ancestral background.
Can a person belong to more than one ethnicity?
Yes, a person can identify with more than one ethnicity if their ancestry, culture, or family background draws from multiple groups. This is common in multicultural families and is increasingly reflected in how people describe their identity.
