What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ethnically
Example
She is ethnically Chinese but was born and raised in the United States. [ethnically: adverb]
Example
The restaurant serves ethnically diverse cuisine from around the world. [ethnically: adverb]
racially
Example
Racially diverse casting has become more common in Hollywood films. [racially: adverb]
Example
The study found that racial disparities in healthcare continue to exist. [racial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Racially is more commonly used than ethnically in everyday language and media, due to its association with discrimination and prejudice. However, ethnically is more commonly used in academic and professional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ethnically and racially?
Ethnically is generally more formal than racially, due to its use in academic and professional contexts. However, both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation.
