ethnic

eth-nic · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Relating to a population subgroup with a common national or cultural tradition.

  2. 2.

    Relating to national or cultural origins.

  3. 3.

    Characteristic of or belonging to a non-Western cultural tradition.

  4. 4.

    Relating to race or ethnicity.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    ethnic group — a community sharing cultural heritage
  • •
    ethnic minority — a group differing from the majority population
  • •
    ethnic cleansing — forced removal of an ethnic group
  • •
    ethnic background — one's cultural or ancestral heritage

Related words

See also: cultural, diversity, ethnicity, racial
Synonyms: cultural, racial, traditional, tribal

Etymology

From Greek ethnikos ("national, foreign"), from ethnos ("nation, people, class"). Originally used in English to mean "heathen" or "pagan."