Spanish

noun

Span·​ish ˈspa-nish 

1

: the Romance language of the largest part of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards

2

plural in construction : the people of Spain

Spanish adjective

Spanishness noun

Examples of Spanish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During Trump’s first presidency, a Manhattan lawyer was recorded threatening to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement on workers who spoke Spanish, and two women in Montana were detained by a Border Patrol agent for speaking Spanish. —Annie Abbott, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

The posts were translated from Spanish to English and Hagi shared multiple screenshots. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

Its tunes are sung largely in Spanish despite the fact that both composers are also French. —Jack Smart, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025

Varas began his postgame news conference with statements — first in Spanish and then in English — decrying the one-word chant, which both FIFA and MLS have been trying to eradicate from the game for years. —Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, adjective, from Middle English Spainish, from Spain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Spanish

• Judeo-Spanish
• Mexican Spanish
• Spanish American
• Spanish bayonet
• Spanish chestnut
• Spanish fly
• Spanish mackerel
• Spanish moss
• Spanish needles
• Spanish omelet
• Spanish onion
• Spanish rice
• the Spanish

Rhymes for Spanish

• banish
• clannish
• mannish
• vanish

Kids Definition

Spanish

noun

Span·​ish ˈspan-ish 

1

: the Romance language of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards

2

Spanish plural : the people of Spain

Spanish adjective