English Reference
adjective · noun

racial

adj. · n.
US /ˈɹeɪʃəɫ/ UK /ɹˈeɪʃəl/ racial

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.relating to a person's race or the differences between human groups.

    adj.relating to or characteristic of a human race or the relations between different races.

    Simple

    The city is working hard to improve racial harmony among its diverse residents.

    In context

    The researchers examined the racial composition of the neighborhood to understand how historical housing policies had influenced modern demographics.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced SlangInformal Computing

    n.in video games, a special power or skill that a character has because of their race.

    n.a specific trait, ability, or bonus granted to a character based on their chosen fantasy race within a game system.

    Simple

    My character has a racial that lets me see in the dark.

    In context

    The latest patch nerfed the human racial, making it less effective in high-level competitive play.

    Teacher's tip

    This is highly specific to gaming communities and would not be understood in a general social context.

Usage racial discrimination · racial violence · racial difference


From race + -ial.

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

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated