# Hispanic

/hɪˈspænɪk/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hispanic
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. related to Spanish-speaking culture

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to Spain or to the people and cultures of countries where Spanish is spoken.

For teachers: relating to Spain or to Spanish-speaking countries, particularly those in Latin America.

- The city has a vibrant Hispanic community with many Spanish-language bookstores.
- The festival celebrates Hispanic heritage by showcasing traditional music and dance from across Central and South America.

Usage: Often capitalized in all contexts.

Teaching tip: In the US, this is a common census category, but many people prefer more specific terms like 'Latino' or their specific country of origin.

### 2. a person of Spanish-speaking descent

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a person who comes from, or whose family comes from, a Spanish-speaking country.

For teachers: an individual of Spanish or Latin American descent residing in the United States.

- Many Hispanics in this neighborhood speak both Spanish and English fluently.
- The study analyzed the voting patterns of Hispanics in the southwestern states during the last three election cycles.

Usage: Used primarily as a demographic or sociological label in the United States.

Teaching tip: Note that 'Hispanic' focuses on language (Spanish-speaking), whereas 'Latino' focuses on geography (Latin America).

### 3. relating to Spain

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

relating to the country of Spain itself.

For teachers: pertaining specifically to the nation, culture, or history of Spain.

- The museum features a large collection of Hispanic art from the 17th century.
- Scholars debated the extent of Hispanic influence on the architectural styles found in the colonial Philippines.

Usage: In modern daily speech, 'Spanish' is more common for the country; 'Hispanic' is often reserved for broader cultural or historical contexts.

## Examples

- The local community center offers many programs for the Hispanic population.
- The census data shows that the Hispanic community is one of the fastest-growing demographics in the region.
- Sociologists often distinguish between the terms Hispanic and Latino, noting that the former emphasizes linguistic heritage while the latter focuses on geographic origins in Latin America.

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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.