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

When the Spanish arrived on the desert north coast of Peru shortly after 1532 C.E., early chroniclers remarked on the verdant, green valleys across the region. —Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025

Although Spanish is still widely spoken in the changing room, not least by Luis Enrique, the club has made a concerted effort to encourage new recruits from overseas to commit to learning French. —Tom Williams, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

Hegseth may not know that the U.S. suffered twice as many casualties as the Spanish in that long-ago battle, the prelude to a needless and costly war of aggression. —Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025

He’s won the Europa League with the Colchoneros and the Spanish Cup with Barcelona, and he’s also played in the Champions League final and two World Cup finals – winning in 2018 and losing in 2022. —Don Riddell, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 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