English Reference

Word

interracial

Phoneticsin·ter·ra·cial

US/ˌɪntɝˈɹeɪʃəɫ/

UK/ˌɪntəɹˈeɪʃəl/

Definition

adj. involving or existing between people of different races. You use this to describe relationships, families, or groups where people come from different backgrounds.

adj. involving, existing between, or extending to different races. Often used to describe social dynamics, marriage, or demographic data.

Examples

“They are an interracial couple living in the city.”

“The documentary explores the history of interracial friendships in the neighborhood during the 1960s.”

“Sociologists study interracial marriage rates as a key indicator of social integration and the breaking down of traditional ethnic barriers within a community.”

Examples

simple

“They are an interracial couple living in the city.”

contextual

“The documentary explores the history of interracial friendships in the neighborhood during the 1960s.”

complex

“Sociologists study interracial marriage rates as a key indicator of social integration and the breaking down of traditional ethnic barriers within a community.”

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; can also follow linking verbs like 'be' or 'become'.

Real-World Examples

“In 1968, he and Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt Nyota Uhura, shared television’s first high-profile scripted interracial kiss in the episode Plato’s Stepchildren .”
The Guardian · 8 Sept 2026
“Interracial families were ostracized , and mixed-race children were excluded from the Baptist mission schools.”
JSTOR Daily · 4 Sept 2026

Etymology

From inter- + racial.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/interracial

English Reference