ETHNIC | Definition and Meaning

Definition of Ethnic

Ethnic

eth·nic

Definition/Meaning

(adjective)

relating to a person's/group's cultural or national identity, origin, or tradition, especially when this is different from the majority identity/origin in a population;

e.g. The form asked her to describe her ethnic background.

(adjective)

relating to a person's background in terms of their race, culture, or birth as opposed to the country in which they currently live;

e.g. Many members of his family are ethnic Italians who moved to this country years ago.

(adjective)

belonging to or otherwise relating to a cultural group that forms a minority in a population/society, especially a non-Western group;

e.g. Each of these restaurants serves a different authentic ethnic cuisine.

(noun)

(dated, American, often offensive) a person who belongs to a cultural minority, especially when they retain their tradition's language, views, and customs;

e.g. She grew up in a rural town and had never met an ethnic before moving to the big city.