What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cultural
Example
The museum has a collection of cultural artifacts from around the world. [cultural: adjective]
Example
It's important to respect and appreciate different cultural backgrounds. [cultural: noun]
ethnic
Example
The neighborhood is known for its diverse ethnic communities. [ethnic: adjective]
Example
She is proud of her ethnic heritage and celebrates it through food and music. [ethnic: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cultural is more commonly used than ethnic in everyday language. Cultural is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ethnic is less common and may have a more limited usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cultural and ethnic?
Cultural is typically associated with a formal and academic tone, while ethnic is more commonly used in social and political contexts and may have a more informal tone.
