Spanish

noun

Span·​ish ˈspa-nish 

1

: the Romance language of the largest part of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards

2

plural in construction : the people of Spain

Spanish adjective

Spanishness noun

Examples of Spanish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

About a dozen sisters hailing from Italy, the Philippines, Poland and elsewhere take calls from around the world, predominantly in Italian, English and Spanish. —Giovanna Dell’orto, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025

Catalonia has two official languages, Catalan and Spanish; especially outside of Barcelona, locals may be more likely to converse in Catalan. —Coke Bartrina, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025

View Comments Guitarist Sergio Vallin recalled performing in Tel Aviv several years ago and seeing people singing in Spanish. —Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025

And just to the south, the Historic Spanish Point campus offers the opportunity to learn about the region’s collection of native Florida plantings. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, adjective, from Middle English Spainish, from Spain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Spanish

• Judeo-Spanish
• Mexican Spanish
• Spanish American
• Spanish bayonet
• Spanish chestnut
• Spanish fly
• Spanish mackerel
• Spanish moss
• Spanish needles
• Spanish omelet
• Spanish onion
• Spanish rice
• the Spanish

Rhymes for Spanish

• banish
• clannish
• mannish
• vanish

Kids Definition

Spanish

noun

Span·​ish ˈspan-ish 

1

: the Romance language of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards

2

Spanish plural : the people of Spain

Spanish adjective