Hispanic

adjective

His·​pan·​ic hi-ˈspa-nik 

1

: of, relating to, or being a person of Latin American descent and especially of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin living in the U.S.

2

: of or relating to the people, speech, or culture of Spain

Hispanic noun

Hispanicism

hi-ˈspa-nə-ˌsi-zəm 

noun

Hispanicist

hi-ˈspa-nə-sist 

noun

Hispanicize

hi-ˈspa-nə-ˌsīz 

transitive verb

Examples of Hispanic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vast majority of construction workers are male and Hispanic, according to the CDC. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024

Police describe him as Hispanic, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighing roughly 130 pounds. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024

Three Hispanic men were seen running from the scene after the shooting, police said. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024

Neighborhoods like Echo Park, where the population is approximately 85% Hispanic, offer a rich tapestry of cultural elements that can inform marketing strategies. —Mike Villalobos, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin hispanicus, from Hispania Iberian Peninsula, Spain

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing Hispanic

• non-Hispanic
• pre-Hispanic

Kids Definition

Hispanic

adjective

His·​pan·​ic his-ˈpan-ik 

1

: of or relating to the people, culture, or speech of Spain

2

: of, relating to, or being a person living in the U.S. from or whose ancestors were from Latin America

Hispanic noun