ethnic
EHTH-nihk
Ethnic (adj) means relating to a group of people sharing a common ancestry, culture, language, or nationality. Example: “The city has a rich mix of ethnic communities.”
adj
1
Relating to a group of people sharing a common ancestry, culture, language, or nationality.
"The city has a rich mix of ethnic communities."
"Ethnic tensions rose ahead of the election."
"Schools in the area teach children from many different ethnic backgrounds."
2
Reflecting a particular, often minority, culture's traditional style, especially in food, dress, or music.
"The market sells a wide range of ethnic foods."
"She loves ethnic jewellery and wears bright handmade bracelets from her travels."
"The restaurant on the corner serves ethnic dishes that you cannot find anywhere else in town."
How to use ethnic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to a shared cultural, national, or ancestral identity.
Common pairings
ethnic group
ethnic minority
ethnic cuisine
ethnic diversity
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Word forms
- Plural
- ethnics
- Comparative
- more ethnic
- Superlative
- most ethnic
Fill the gap
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The city has a rich mix of _____ communities.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ethnikós (\"of a nation, heathen\"), from éthnos (\"a people or nation\").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “ethnic” mean?
The word “ethnic” means relating to a group of people sharing a common ancestry, culture, language, or nationality. In plain terms, relating to a shared cultural, national, or ancestral identity.
How do you pronounce “ethnic”?
“Ethnic” is pronounced EHTH-nihk (/ˈɛθ.nɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “ethnic” in a sentence?
Here is “ethnic” used in a sentence: “The city has a rich mix of ethnic communities.”
What part of speech is “ethnic”?
“Ethnic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ethnic” come from?
The word “ethnic” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek ethnikós (\"of a nation, heathen\"), from éthnos (\"a people or nation\").
Is “ethnic” a common word?
“Ethnic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “ethnic” have?
“Ethnic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a group of people sharing a common ancestry, culture, language, or nationality.
What is the difference between 'ethnic' and 'racial'?
'Ethnic' relates to shared culture, language, ancestry, or nationality, while 'racial' focuses more on physical characteristics and broad ancestral origin. Two people can share a race but belong to different ethnic groups.
What is the difference between 'ethnic' and 'cultural'?
'Ethnic' points to a particular group defined by common ancestry and heritage, whereas 'cultural' refers to the customs, arts, and way of life of any society or group. Ethnic identity is one source of culture, but not the only one.
Is it appropriate to call food 'ethnic'?
The phrase 'ethnic food' is common but can seem to treat certain cuisines as 'other' compared with an unstated default. Many writers now prefer naming the specific cuisine, such as Thai or Ethiopian, for clarity and respect.
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