# ethnographic

/ˌɛθnəˈɡɹæfɪk/ (US) · /ˌɛθnəɡɹˈæfɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ethnographic
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

relating to the study of different cultures and how people live. It describes research that looks at a group of people in their own environment to understand their daily lives.

For teachers: relating to the systematic study of human cultures and societies, particularly through fieldwork and participant observation. Often used to describe research methods that document social practices and cultural norms in their natural settings.

## Examples

- The museum has an ethnographic collection of traditional clothing.
- The researcher spent several months on the island conducting ethnographic studies to document the local fishing traditions.
- Ethnographic research provides a rich, qualitative understanding of social dynamics that quantitative surveys often fail to capture, offering insights into the lived experiences of individuals within specific communities.

---

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.