Latinx

adjective

La·​tinx

 primarily a written form  ;

often read as

lə-ˈtē-ˌneks 

see usage note below

: of, relating to, or marked by Latin American heritage : latine

—used as a gender-neutral alternative to Latina or Latino

… the oldest of three girls in a tightknit Latinx family …

—Sarai Gonzalez and Monica Brown

During her victory speech last night, the activist … thanked the district's primarily Latinx community for their trust in her vision for America.

—Kat Armstrong

… the first openly LGBTQ Latinx person elected governor in the US …

—Terrance Heath

Latinx noun

plural Latinx or Latinxs

The 2010 Census had separate categories for racial identity and "Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin." The text notes, "Latinx is not a race. However, a majority of Latinxs consider it part of their racial identity."

—Mark Jenkins

Usage of Latine and Latinx

Latine and Latinx are both used as gender-neutral alternatives to feminine Latina and masculine Latino. Each is formed by replacing the grammatically gendered -a and -o Spanish endings with a gender-neutral ending. Latinx, which was coined first, uses the English x (as in the gender-neutral courtesy title Mx.) to denote an unspecified or variable gender. Latine applies the Spanish -e, denoting an unspecified gender, as in estudiante ("student") and prudente ("sensible"). Objections to Latinx are common among people of Latin American heritage and most frequently relate to the fact that the term does not follow regular Spanish word formation and is therefore not easily adopted by many of the people it describes.

Examples of Latinx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Not since the cringey Latin Explosion of the late ’90s, which was more about crossover appeal than a real reverence for Spanish-language performance, has there been so much Latinx visibility in music. —Juan Velasquez, Them, 12 Sep. 2024

Black and Latinx homeowners are also denied interest rate refinances significantly more frequently: 38.4% and 37.5% of the time versus 21.8% for their white peers. —Andrea Riquier, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2024

Family-friendly afternoon celebrating the rich history, culture and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2024

The incoming Black student population decreased from 19% to 9% and the Latinx population decreased from 14% to 10%, the American Indian or Alaska Native incoming population dropped by 1%. —Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

latin(o) and latin(a) + x entry 1, replacing the gender-specific Spanish markers -o and -a

First Known Use

2007, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Latinx

• Afro Latinx

Kids Definition

Latinx

adjective

La·​tinx

 primarily a written form  ;

 often read as  lə-ˈtē-ˌneks

: of, relating to, or marked by Latin American heritage

—used as a gender-neutral alternative to Latina or Latino