2 syllables: Eth, nic. Stress on Eth.
ETH-nik
/ˈɛθnɪk/
Ethnic is pronounced ETH-nik (/ˈɛθnɪk/). It has two syllables (Eth-nic), with the stress on "Eth". Ethnic is an adjective describing groups or things related to a particular culture or ethnicity. It is often used to characterize origins, traditions, or identities tied to a specific people, especially when contrasting with other cultural groups. The term is common in social science, demographics, and discussions of heritage, identity, and diversity.
adjectiveEthnic is an adjective describing groups or things related to a particular culture or ethnicity. It is often used to characterize origins, traditions, or identities tied to a specific people, especially when contrasting with other cultural groups. The term is common in social science, demographics, and discussions of heritage, identity, and diversity.
"The festival showcased ethnic foods and costumes from multiple regions."
"He wrote about the ethnic communities that settled in the city in the 19th century."
"The company values ethnic diversity and inclusive hiring practices."
Pronunciation is /ˈɛθ.nɪk/ in US and UK; AU is similar. Start with a short open-mid vowel /ɛ/ as in “bed,” then /θ/ as in “think” (voiceless dental fricative). The second syllable has /nɪk/ with a short /i/ before /k/. Put primary stress on the first syllable: ETH-nik. You can listen to reference pronunciations on Pronounce or Forvo for precise tongue placement.
Common errors: 1) Replacing /θ/ with /s/ or /t/ making “ess-nick.” 2) Slurring the second syllable to /-ɪk/ as a quick, light ending instead of clear /-nɪk/. 3) Stress misplacement, saying /ˈiːθnɪk/ or /ˈeθnɪk/. Correction: keep the /θ/ dental fricative, insert a short /ɪ/ before /k/, and maintain strong initial stress on /ˈɛθ/.
In US and UK, /ˈɛθ.nɪk/ with same rhoticity non-syllabic /r/ not present in either. UK non-rhotic influence is slight; AU rhotics are more likely to be pronounced in careful speech but often reduced in casual speech. The main differences lie in vowel quality: US /ɛ/ can be a slightly tenser front open-mid vowel; UK may show a lighter /ɛ/ and AU often closer to /æ/ in rapid speech. Overall, the /θ/ remains consistent, with subtle vowel shifts.
Key challenges: the /θ/ sound is not present in many languages and can be substituted with /f/ or /t/; the tense /ɛ/ vowel can be misproduced as /æ/; the sequence /-ɪk/ can blend unintentionally with /-ɪk/ as /-ɪk/ or /-ɪk/. The syllable boundary between /ˈɛð-/ and /nɪk/ may blur if you’re not keeping a light, audible /n/ between syllables. Slow practice helps differentiate the dental fricative and the following nasal.
Unique question focus: the connection between the initial cluster /ˈɛθ/ and the following /nɪk/. A common issue is effectively separating /θ/ from /n/ so you don’t merge into /ˈɛθn/; you want a distinct /n/ onset for the second syllable. Practicing with word pairs that separate the breath and tongue movement helps solidify the boundary and achieve crisp pronunciation.
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Ethnic derives from the Greek ethnos, meaning a nation, people, or race, which entered Latin as ethnikus and late Middle English as ethnical before standardizing to ethnic. The root ethn- carries the sense of a people or nation, tied to culture and social grouping. In classical and Renaissance usage, ethnos denoted a people as a distinct group with shared customs but without the modern administrative connotations. By the 19th century, ethnos evolved into ethn- plus -ic as a productive suffix to form adjectives describing characteristics of a people or culture. In modern usage, ethnic emphasizes cultural lineage, not just race, and often appears in sociological, anthropological, and policy discussions. First known print attestations appear in the 18th–19th centuries in scholarly writing about ethnography, with broader popular usage expanding in the 20th century amid growing multicultural discourse. The word has since blurred into common descriptors such as ethnic minority, ethnic group, and ethnic identity, where it conveys belonging and heritage rather than strictly genetic lineage.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Ethnic" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Ethnic" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Ethnic" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Ethnic"
-tic sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
