# British

/ˈbɹɪtɪʃ/ (US) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/british
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the people who come from or live in the United Kingdom. You use this word to talk about the group as a whole.

For teachers: the collective body of people inhabiting or originating from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Plural in construction; functions as a collective noun referring to the entire population.

## Examples

- The British are known for their love of tea.
- During the summer months, many British travel to the Mediterranean for their annual holidays.
- The cultural identity of the British has been shaped by centuries of maritime history, industrial innovation, and a complex relationship with the European continent.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is a British" but "He is British" — 'British' is an adjective or a collective noun; to refer to a single person, use 'a British person' or 'a Briton'.

## Usage notes

- Always used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the people as a group. It functions as a plural noun and takes a plural verb.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.