Spanish

noun

Span·​ish ˈspa-nish How to pronounce Spanish (audio)
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

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Page begins to speak Spanish, Swerve Strickland comes out to the stage. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 The grandfather became an activist-anthropologist dedicated to recovering native languages in Mexico, a calling linked to his flight from a Catalonia where Franco’s regime suppressed languages other than Castillian Spanish. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 World languages World languages programs include Spanish, French, Mandarin, German and Japanese. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026 Meet new members, local authors and take a tour of the San Jose Woman’s Club’s 1929 Spanish Mission revival clubhouse, a California historic landmark. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Spanish

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, adjective, from Middle English Spainish, from Spain

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Spanish was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing Spanish

Rhymes for Spanish

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Browse Nearby Words

span iron
Spanish
Spanish America
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Cite this Entry

“Spanish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Spanish. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Spanish

noun
Span·​ish ˈspan-ish How to pronounce Spanish (audio)
1
: the Romance language of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards
2
Spanish plural : the people of Spain
Spanish adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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