What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mulatto
Example
She is proud of her mulatto heritage and the unique blend of cultures it represents. [mulatto: noun]
Example
He has a mulatto complexion that reflects his mixed-race background. [mulatto: adjective]
mestizo
Example
The mestizo population in Mexico is a testament to the blending of cultures that occurred during colonization. [mestizo: noun]
Example
Her mestizo features reflect her mixed heritage and the diversity of her family background. [mestizo: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mestizo is more commonly used than mulatto in Latin America, where it is still widely used to describe people of mixed racial heritage. However, mulatto is considered by some to be an outdated and offensive term, and its usage has declined in recent years.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mulatto and mestizo?
Neither mulatto nor mestizo are particularly formal or informal terms, but mulatto may be considered more offensive and outdated in some contexts.
