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

Buzzati’s work, swept up in the vogue for existentialism, established him as part of the European literary landscape, with translations into French and Spanish. —Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Admitting that you aren't actually committed to the idea enough to do the work of learning Spanish can help close that loop. —Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 1 Jan. 2025

Gomez has been called out for her Spanish in the film, but that feels like nitpicking in a movie where absurdity often feels like the principle. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025

This year, there is a record-breaking Spanish forward, a 20-year-old Sweden player who cannot stop scoring, and a 19-year-old midfielder making a splash at Chelsea. —Jessy Parker Humphreys, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024

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

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