Racial
ˈreɪʃəl
Definitions
Relating to or based on the race of a person or group.
ˈreɪʃəl
Relating to race or races of people.
The civil rights movement aimed to end racial segregation.
💡 Simply: Imagine different teams in a race. 'Racial' means something involves the different teams or groups of people who are competing or being compared, like talking about the different colors of their uniforms.
👶 For kids: When something is about the different groups of people based on where their families come from, it's racial!
More Examples
The study explored the impact of racial bias on hiring practices.
Interracial marriages are becoming increasingly common.
How It's Used
"Racial discrimination remains a significant problem in many societies."
"The government implemented new policies to address racial inequality."
Idioms & expressions
racial profiling
The practice of singling out people for suspicion or investigation based on their race or ethnicity.
"Racial profiling by law enforcement is a serious violation of civil rights."
racial slur
A derogatory or offensive term used to insult or demean someone based on their race.
"The use of racial slurs is unacceptable and harmful."
interracial marriage
Marriage between people of different races.
"Interracial marriage was once illegal in many parts of the world."
From French *racial*, from *race* (meaning 'race, lineage'), from Italian *razza*, of uncertain origin, possibly from Arabic *raʾs* ('head, origin'). It entered English in the late 19th century, coinciding with the rise of scientific racism.
The word gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with the rise of eugenics and social Darwinism, where the concept of 'race' was used to justify social hierarchies and inequalities.
Memory tip
Think of a race – it's about groups of people, and *racial* describes anything connected to those groups.