# ethnic group

CEFR B1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ethnic-group
Updated: 2026-08-05

## Definition

a group of people who share the same culture, language, or history.

For teachers: a category of people who identify with each other based on shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups, such as a common set of traditions, ancestry, language, or social treatment.

## Examples

- The city is home to many different ethnic groups.
- Researchers studied how different ethnic groups in the region maintained their traditional cooking styles over several generations.
- The census provides vital data on the socio-economic status of various ethnic groups, helping the government allocate resources to underserved communities.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He belongs to an ethics group." but "He belongs to an ethnic group." — learners often confuse the adjective 'ethnic' (related to culture) with the noun 'ethics' (related to moral principles).

## Usage notes

- countable noun; often used in sociological, political, or demographic contexts.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'race', which often focuses on physical traits, whereas 'ethnic group' emphasizes shared culture and heritage.

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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.