Latin

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈlætɪn/ 🇺🇸 /ˈlætən/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The language of the ancient Romans and their empire, widely used as a scholarly and liturgical language in medieval and early modern Europe.; A person of Latin American origin or descent; a Latino or Latina.; A member of the ancient Italic people who inhabited Latium, the region around Rome.; A member of the Latin Church, as distinguished from members of Eastern Christian churches.; A style of dance music originating in Latin America, characterized by syncopated rhythms.
  2. adjective
    Of or relating to the language, people, or culture of ancient Rome.; Of or relating to Latin America or its peoples, languages, and cultures.; Of or relating to the Latin Church or the Western Christian tradition that uses Latin in its liturgy.; Of or relating to the Romance languages descended from Latin, or the peoples who speak them.; Designating a style of dance or music derived from Latin American traditions, such as salsa, rumba, or cha-cha.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable / uncountable Plural: Latins

Collocations

Latin AmericaLatin alphabetLatin squareLatin loverLatin musicLatin dance

Derivatives

LatinateLatinizeLatinizationLatinistLatinoLatina

Synonyms

RomanceHispanicClassical

Commonly confused

Latino
EN: 'Latino' specifically refers to a person of Latin American origin or descent; 'Latin' is broader, referring to the ancient language, its culture, or anything derived from it.
Latinate
EN: 'Latinate' describes words or styles derived from or resembling Latin; 'Latin' refers to the language or culture itself.

Spelling tips

EN: Always capitalize 'Latin' as it is a proper noun/adjective derived from a proper name. Do not confuse with 'laten' (to make late) or 'latent' (hidden, dormant).

💬 Examples

  1. She studied Latin for three years in order to read Cicero in the original.

  2. The festival celebrated the music and culture of Latins in the United States.

  3. The Latins eventually merged with other peoples to form the Roman nation.

  4. The Crusaders were often referred to as Latins by the Byzantine Greeks.

  5. The band played Latin all night at the salsa club.

  6. The Latin alphabet is the most widely used writing system in the world.

  7. Latin American cuisine has become increasingly popular in Europe.

  8. The Latin rite is the most widespread liturgical rite in the Catholic Church.

  9. France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal are often grouped as Latin countries.

  10. She won first place in the Latin division of the ballroom dancing competition.