Latin

1 of 2

adjective

Lat·​in ˈla-tᵊn 

1

a

: of, relating to, or composed in Latin

b

: romance

2

: of or relating to Latium or the Latins

3

: of or relating to the part of the Catholic Church that until recently used a Latin rite and forms the patriarchate of the pope

4

: of or relating to the peoples or countries using Romance languages

specifically : of or relating to the peoples or countries of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2

noun

1

: the Italic language of ancient Latium and of Rome and until modern times the dominant language of school, church, and state in western Europe see Indo-European Languages Table

2

: a member of the people of ancient Latium

3

: a Catholic of the Latin rite

4

: a member of one of the Latin peoples

specifically : a native or inhabitant of Latin America

5

: latin alphabet

Examples of Latin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Explore See latest videos, charts and news Leading the pack is Cocoteo FM, a Latin music station hosted by Bad Bunny and fellow Puerto Rican singer RaiNao, who will take to the air under the names El Martillo and La Gata. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026

The original Latin meaning of curriculum vitae led me to imagine writing their history as the course of a life. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

More delegates from Latin America, the Arab world and Africa could lift the number of countries represented past 60, and possibly above 70. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

The fashion house’s first such project in Latin America will house 73 residences, only two per floor, with expansive private terraces and a host of wellness and recreational facilities once completed in 2029. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Latinus, from Latium, ancient country of Italy

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Latin

• Late Latin
• Latin alphabet
• Latin American
• Latin Americanist
• Latin cross
• Latin square
• Low Latin
• Medieval Latin
• Neo-Latin
• New Latin
• Old Latin
• Pig Latin
• Vulgar Latin

Rhymes for Latin

• batten
• craton
• fatten
• flatten
• gratin
• gratton
• lattin
• matin
• paten
• patten
• platen
• ratan

Kids Definition

Latin

1 of 2 adjective

Lat·​in ˈlat-ᵊn 

1

a

: of, relating to, or composed in Latin

Latin grammar

b

: romance

Latin languages

2

: of or relating to that part of the Catholic Church that formerly used a Latin rite

3

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the countries or peoples of Latin America

Latin

2 of 2 noun

1

: the Italic language of ancient Rome

2

: an ancient Roman

3

: a member of one of the peoples speaking Romance languages

especially : a person born or living in Latin America