# Portuguese

/ˈpɔɹtʃəˌɡiz/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. the language

noun · CEFR A1

the language spoken in Portugal, Brazil, and several other countries.

For teachers: a Romance language originating in Portugal and serving as the official language of Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and other nations.

- She decided to learn Portuguese before her trip to Lisbon next summer.
- While European and Brazilian Portuguese share the same formal grammar, their phonology and everyday vocabulary differ significantly.

Usage: Always capitalized as a proper noun.

### 2. the people

noun · CEFR A2

people who come from Portugal.

For teachers: the people of Portugal, collectively or individually.

- The Portuguese are known for their beautiful traditional music called Fado.
- The Portuguese have a long history of maritime exploration that shaped global trade routes in the fifteenth century.

Usage: Used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the people as a whole.

### 3. relating to Portugal

adjective · CEFR A1

relating to the country of Portugal, its people, or its culture.

For teachers: of or pertaining to Portugal, its inhabitants, or their cultural output.

- We enjoyed some delicious Portuguese custard tarts at the bakery.
- The restaurant specializes in authentic Portuguese cuisine, featuring a wide variety of salted cod dishes.

Usage: Always capitalized.

## Examples

- She is learning Portuguese because she wants to visit Brazil.
- While the grammar remains similar, the pronunciation of Portuguese varies significantly between speakers from Lisbon and those from Rio de Janeiro.
- The global spread of Portuguese during the Age of Discovery established it as a major lingua franca across parts of Africa, South America, and Asia.

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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.