# Latino

/ɫɑˈtinoʊ/ (US) · /lætˈiːnəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

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

## Definition

a person living in the United States who comes from or has family from Latin America. It is a broad term for people with roots in Spanish-speaking or Portuguese-speaking countries in the Americas.

For teachers: a person of Latin American origin or descent, especially one living in the United States. Often used as a collective identifier for a diverse demographic with shared linguistic or cultural ties to the region.

## Examples

- He is a proud Latino who grew up in Los Angeles.
- The festival celebrates the diverse traditions of the Latino community through music, dance, and traditional food.
- Sociologists often examine how the Latino identity intersects with various national origins, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Colombian, to create a complex cultural landscape within urban centers.

## Usage notes

- The term is gendered; 'Latino' refers to a male or is used as a generic plural, while 'Latina' refers to a female.

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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.