American English

How to pronounce nationality

nounB1
naashuhNAAlihddee

/ˌnæ.ʃəˈnæ.lɪ.ɾi/

5 syllables · Stress the third syllable.

the legal status of belonging to a particular country

What to listen for

“Nationality” is pronounced /ˌnæ.ʃəˈnæ.lɪ.ɾi/. In natural American English, the middle /t/ can sound like a quick /d/.

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

noun

the legal status of belonging to a particular country

What is your nationality?

She has dual nationality.

Good to know

On a form, nationality usually means the country you are legally connected to, not your race or ethnic group. For legal rights and duties, citizenship is often the more exact word.

Common phrases & grammar

country of nationality · acquire nationality · nationality status

What is + [person's] + nationality?

[person] + has + dual/multiple + nationality

noun

a group of people who belong to the same country, especially when people from several countries are being compared

The class includes people of many nationalities.

The festival brings together different nationalities.

Common phrases & grammar

different nationalities · many nationalities · nationality and ethnicity

people + of + different/many + nationalities

Useful expressions

dual nationality

legal belonging to two countries

He was born with dual nationality.

by nationality

grouped according to people's countries

The survey results are listed by nationality.

Related words & forms

The plural is nationalities, not nationalitys.