B2adjective2K

Ethnic

UK /["/ˈeθnɪk/"]/US /["/ˈeθnɪk/"]/

Definition

connected with or belonging to a group of people that share a cultural tradition

In simple words: Relating to a group of people with a shared culture, language, or ancestry.

Examples

  • The festival celebrated the ethnic diversity of the city with music and food from around the world.
  • The museum exhibited artifacts related to the ethnic groups that inhabited the region for centuries.
  • Ethnic clothing often varies significantly between neighboring communities.
  • They studied ethnic conflicts to understand the causes of social unrest in the country.
  • Ethnic cuisine is a major part of cultural identity and tradition.

Usage notes

Use 'ethnic' when describing cultural or racial characteristics. Avoid in contexts where cultural identity isn't relevant, as it may seem insensitive.

Grammar pattern

ethnic + noun

Memory hint

Think of 'ethnic' as 'ethnic group' to remember it relates to culture and heritage.

Collocations

  • ethnic diversity
  • ethnic identity
  • ethnic group
  • ethnic background
  • ethnic conflict

Synonyms

  • cultural
  • racial
  • national
  • tribal
  • folk

Antonyms

  • unrelated
  • general
  • unmarked

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'ethical' (related to morals).
  • Used incorrectly as a noun instead of an adjective.
  • Mispronounced with emphasis on the second syllable instead of the first.