“People of color” is a broad, commonly used term for people who are not typically perceived as white. Depending on your audience and context, alternatives can sound more formal, precise, or professional.
Top alternatives: racial and ethnic minorities, people from diverse racial backgrounds, racially diverse communities, racialized communities, underrepresented racial groups
“People of color” is a broad expression commonly used to describe people from racial or ethnic groups that have historically experienced racialization or marginalization. It is frequently used in discussions about culture, society, representation, education, employment, and inclusion. However, the most appropriate wording can vary depending on the audience, region, and context. Learning alternatives to “people of color” can help English learners communicate more clearly and confidently while choosing language that fits different situations.
Knowing other ways to say “people of color” can also make your spoken and written English more natural and flexible. In professional or academic settings, a more specific term may be better when referring to a particular community or demographic group, while broader wording may work well in everyday conversations. Expanding this vocabulary can help you express excitement in English, discuss diversity and representation more effectively, and communicate with greater awareness of tone, context, and audience.
Quick Categories
Formal alternatives to “people of color”
- Racial and ethnic minorities
- People from racialized communities
- Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
- Members of historically marginalized racial groups
Pro Tip: Use these expressions carefully in academic or institutional writing, especially when the specific demographic group is known.
Casual alternatives
- People from diverse racial backgrounds
- Racially diverse people
- People from different ethnic backgrounds
- People from diverse communities
Pro Tip: In casual conversation, prioritize clarity and respect rather than trying to sound unusually formal.
Professional alternatives
- Racially and ethnically diverse employees
- Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
- Diverse racial and ethnic communities
- Employees from diverse backgrounds
Pro Tip: In workplace communication, choose precise terminology and follow the language used by your organization or the people being discussed.
Informal expressions
- People from different backgrounds
- People from diverse backgrounds
- People of different ethnicities
- People from a range of communities
Pro Tip: Informal expressions in English work best when the racial or ethnic dimension is already clear from the conversation.
“Professional communication becomes stronger when diversity language is precise rather than unnecessarily complicated.”
Common Mistakes
1. Treating every alternative as an exact synonym
Not every phrase has exactly the same meaning.
Example: “People from diverse backgrounds” may refer to cultural, educational, socioeconomic, or geographic diversity, not only race.
2. Using “minorities” without considering context
The word can be appropriate in demographic discussions but may sound reductive when people are being discussed primarily through their minority status.
Example: “The company supports racial and ethnic minorities” may be less precise than “The company supports underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.”
3. Assuming “ethnic” and “racial” mean the same thing
Race and ethnicity are related concepts, but they are not interchangeable in every context.
Example: “The survey examined racial and ethnic representation” is more precise than simply saying “racial representation” when both dimensions were measured.
4. Using overly broad language when specificity is available
A general phrase can hide important differences between communities.
Example: “The program serves people of color” may be less informative than “The program serves Black, Asian, Latino, and Indigenous communities” when those groups are specifically relevant.
5. Capitalizing or formatting terms inconsistently
Style preferences vary between organizations and publications.
Example: “The report discusses racial and ethnic diversity” is safer than changing capitalization conventions inconsistently throughout a document.
What Does “People of Color” Mean?
“People of color” is a broad collective expression generally referring to people who belong to racial or ethnic groups that have historically been treated as nonwhite within a particular social context.
Grammatically, people is the plural noun and of color functions as a descriptive phrase. The expression is normally used collectively rather than to identify one individual’s specific racial or ethnic background.
Example: “The organization works to improve representation among people of color.”
The term is widely used in contemporary English, particularly in discussions involving racial justice, representation, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
When to Use “People of Color”
You may encounter or use the expression in:
- Diversity and inclusion discussions
- Social and cultural commentary
- Education and research
- Workplace diversity conversations
- Discussions of racial representation
- Community organizations
- Public policy discussions
- Journalism and media
Spoken vs Written
Spoken English: The phrase is common when discussing diversity, representation, or social experiences.
Written English: It can work well in general writing, but formal documents may benefit from more precise terminology.
Formal vs Informal
Formal: Consider terms such as “underrepresented racial and ethnic groups” when appropriate.
Informal: “People from diverse backgrounds” can sound natural when the precise racial classification is not important.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “People of Color”?
Politeness: ✔ Yes
Professional: ❌ No, in most cases
This does not mean the expression is inherently unprofessional. Rather, professional writing often benefits from greater specificity. If you are discussing a particular demographic, naming the relevant group can make your communication clearer.
Business example:
“Our recruitment strategy aims to improve representation among underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.”
In workplace communication, also consider the terminology preferred by the organization, community, or individuals concerned.
“Polite language can still be imprecise. Professional language aims for both respect and accuracy.”
Pros and Cons of Using “People of Color”
Pros
- Simple and natural: Easy for many English speakers to understand.
- Friendly tone: Often sounds less technical than institutional terminology.
- Common usage: Frequently encountered in contemporary discussions of diversity.
- Easy to understand: Provides a broad reference when individual groups do not need to be specified.
Cons
- Too informal for work: Some highly formal documents may require more precise terminology.
- Overused: Repeating the same phrase can make writing less varied.
- Limited emotional range: It does not communicate specific cultural or demographic information.
- Not suitable for formal writing: Certain academic, legal, or organizational contexts may require exact demographic terminology.
Other Ways to Say “People of Color” With Examples
These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in different situations.
Use them according to tone, context, and audience to express excitement, admiration, or approval while maintaining respectful professional communication.
1. Phrase: Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Meaning: People belonging to racial or ethnic groups that are numerically or socially less represented in a particular context.
Explanation: This is a familiar term in demographic, institutional, and academic discussions.
Example Sentence: “The scholarship program supports students from racial and ethnic minorities.”
Best Use: Academic writing
Worst Use: Personal introductions
Tone: Formal, demographic, institutional
Context Variability: Professional reports, academic papers, spoken discussions
2. Phrase: Racialized Communities
Meaning: Communities whose racial identities have been shaped by social processes of racialization.
Explanation: This expression emphasizes how society assigns racial meaning to groups.
Example Sentence: “The research examines access to healthcare in racialized communities.”
Best Use: Social research
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Academic, analytical, specialized
Context Variability: Research papers, policy discussions, professional presentations
3. Phrase: People From Diverse Racial Backgrounds
Meaning: People who come from different racial backgrounds.
Explanation: This is a clear and relatively neutral descriptive alternative.
Example Sentence: “The program welcomes people from diverse racial backgrounds.”
Best Use: General communication
Worst Use: Precise statistics
Tone: Neutral, inclusive, descriptive
Context Variability: Websites, workplace communication, spoken English
4. Phrase: Underrepresented Racial Groups
Meaning: Racial groups that have lower representation in a particular setting.
Explanation: The phrase focuses on representation rather than simply racial identity.
Example Sentence: “The initiative aims to increase participation among underrepresented racial groups.”
Best Use: Workplace communication
Worst Use: Unrelated contexts
Tone: Professional, institutional, precise
Context Variability: Business reports, education, organizational policies
5. Phrase: Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups
Meaning: Racial and ethnic groups that have limited representation in a particular environment.
Explanation: This is useful when both racial and ethnic representation are relevant.
Example Sentence: “The university is expanding scholarships for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.”
Best Use: Formal communication
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal, precise, professional
Context Variability: Education, business, policy writing
“When discussing representation, ‘underrepresented’ can be more informative than simply describing someone as a minority.”
6. Phrase: People From Diverse Communities
Meaning: People belonging to communities with varied identities or backgrounds.
Explanation: This phrase is broad and does not necessarily refer only to race.
Example Sentence: “Our services are designed for people from diverse communities.”
Best Use: Public communication
Worst Use: Racial analysis
Tone: Inclusive, broad, neutral
Context Variability: Websites, marketing, conversation
7. Phrase: Racially Diverse People
Meaning: People representing multiple racial backgrounds.
Explanation: This phrase directly emphasizes racial diversity.
Example Sentence: “The organization has a racially diverse workforce.”
Best Use: Workplace discussion
Worst Use: Individual identity
Tone: Neutral, direct, professional
Context Variability: Business English, reports, spoken English
8. Phrase: Racially Diverse Communities
Meaning: Communities containing people from multiple racial backgrounds.
Explanation: This expression focuses on groups or communities rather than individuals.
Example Sentence: “The campaign was designed with racially diverse communities in mind.”
Best Use: Community work
Worst Use: Individual description
Tone: Inclusive, professional, community focused
Context Variability: Public relations, nonprofits, policy discussions
9. Phrase: People From Different Ethnic Backgrounds
Meaning: People whose ethnic backgrounds differ from one another.
Explanation: Use this when ethnicity, rather than race, is the relevant dimension.
Example Sentence: “The classroom includes students from different ethnic backgrounds.”
Best Use: Education
Worst Use: Race specific research
Tone: Neutral, descriptive, accessible
Context Variability: Schools, conversation, general writing
10. Phrase: Racial and Ethnic Communities
Meaning: Communities identified through racial or ethnic identities.
Explanation: This phrase is useful when discussing communities collectively.
Example Sentence: “The initiative was developed in consultation with racial and ethnic communities.”
Best Use: Community policy
Worst Use: Individual identity
Tone: Formal, inclusive, institutional
Context Variability: Government, nonprofits, professional communication
11. Phrase: Members of Racially Diverse Communities
Meaning: Individuals who belong to communities with varied racial identities.
Explanation: This provides a people centered alternative to a broad demographic label.
Example Sentence: “The program provides leadership opportunities for members of racially diverse communities.”
Best Use: Professional writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal, inclusive, respectful
Context Variability: Reports, programs, presentations
12. Phrase: Members of Historically Marginalized Racial Groups
Meaning: People belonging to racial groups that have experienced historical social disadvantage.
Explanation: This phrase emphasizes historical marginalization rather than numerical minority status.
Example Sentence: “The fellowship prioritizes members of historically marginalized racial groups.”
Best Use: Institutional writing
Worst Use: Casual introductions
Tone: Formal, specific, social policy
Context Variability: Grants, policy documents, organizational communication
13. Phrase: Historically Marginalized Communities
Meaning: Communities that have experienced systemic social, political, or economic disadvantage.
Explanation: The phrase is broader than race alone, so context is important.
Example Sentence: “The project focuses on improving access for historically marginalized communities.”
Best Use: Policy writing
Worst Use: Race specific claims
Tone: Formal, inclusive, analytical
Context Variability: Research, nonprofits, public policy
14. Phrase: Racially Underrepresented Communities
Meaning: Communities with lower representation in a particular institution or environment.
Explanation: This is especially useful when discussing participation or representation.
Example Sentence: “The company is developing programs for racially underrepresented communities.”
Best Use: Diversity programs
Worst Use: General identity
Tone: Professional, institutional, precise
Context Variability: Business, education, community programs
15. Phrase: Diverse Racial and Ethnic Groups
Meaning: Groups representing different racial and ethnic identities.
Explanation: This is a broad but clear phrase for formal communication.
Example Sentence: “The survey included participants from diverse racial and ethnic groups.”
Best Use: Research writing
Worst Use: Personal description
Tone: Formal, neutral, descriptive
Context Variability: Surveys, reports, academic English
16. Phrase: People of Diverse Racial Backgrounds
Meaning: People who have different racial backgrounds.
Explanation: This wording keeps the focus on people while describing racial diversity.
Example Sentence: “The conference attracted people of diverse racial backgrounds.”
Best Use: General writing
Worst Use: Statistical analysis
Tone: Neutral, inclusive, polished
Context Variability: Events, websites, workplace communication
17. Phrase: People From a Range of Racial Backgrounds
Meaning: People representing several different racial backgrounds.
Explanation: This sounds natural when emphasizing variety.
Example Sentence: “The panel brought together people from a range of racial backgrounds.”
Best Use: General communication
Worst Use: Demographic statistics
Tone: Natural, neutral, inclusive
Context Variability: Presentations, articles, spoken English
18. Phrase: People From Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds
Meaning: People belonging to different ethnic backgrounds.
Explanation: This is appropriate when ethnicity is the relevant category.
Example Sentence: “The organization serves people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.”
Best Use: Community communication
Worst Use: Race specific research
Tone: Neutral, inclusive, accessible
Context Variability: Community work, websites, conversation
19. Phrase: Racially and Ethnically Diverse People
Meaning: People representing multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Explanation: This phrase explicitly includes both dimensions of diversity.
Example Sentence: “The company aims to recruit racially and ethnically diverse people.”
Best Use: Workplace English
Worst Use: Informal chat
Tone: Professional, inclusive, direct
Context Variability: HR, reports, presentations
20. Phrase: Racially and Ethnically Diverse Employees
Meaning: Employees representing different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Explanation: This is particularly useful in workplace communication.
Example Sentence: “The company values the perspectives of racially and ethnically diverse employees.”
Best Use: Business English
Worst Use: General population
Tone: Professional, specific, respectful
Context Variability: HR documents, meetings, reports
21. Phrase: Diverse Racial and Ethnic Populations
Meaning: Populations containing multiple racial and ethnic groups.
Explanation: This expression is especially suitable for demographic or research contexts.
Example Sentence: “The study examined health outcomes across diverse racial and ethnic populations.”
Best Use: Academic research
Worst Use: Casual speech
Tone: Academic, formal, technical
Context Variability: Research, statistics, public health writing
22. Phrase: Racial and Ethnic Groups
Meaning: Groups categorized according to racial or ethnic identity.
Explanation: This is one of the most straightforward choices when discussing demographic categories.
Example Sentence: “The survey compared experiences across several racial and ethnic groups.”
Best Use: Data reporting
Worst Use: Personal introductions
Tone: Neutral, precise, analytical
Context Variability: Reports, research, professional presentations
23. Phrase: People From Underrepresented Backgrounds
Meaning: People whose backgrounds are less represented in a particular environment.
Explanation: The phrase is broad and can include dimensions beyond race.
Example Sentence: “The fellowship encourages applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds.”
Best Use: Applications
Worst Use: Race specific analysis
Tone: Professional, broad, inclusive
Context Variability: Education, recruitment, scholarships
24. Phrase: People From Historically Underrepresented Groups
Meaning: People belonging to groups that have traditionally had limited representation.
Explanation: The phrase focuses on historical representation rather than racial identity alone.
Example Sentence: “The program creates opportunities for people from historically underrepresented groups.”
Best Use: Institutional programs
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal, inclusive, institutional
Context Variability: Universities, companies, nonprofits
25. Phrase: Diverse Populations
Meaning: Populations containing people with varied backgrounds or identities.
Explanation: This is highly concise but too broad when racial identity must be explicit.
Example Sentence: “The service was tested with diverse populations.”
Best Use: General reports
Worst Use: Racial specificity
Tone: Concise, neutral, professional
Context Variability: Reports, research, presentations
26. Phrase: Diverse Groups
Meaning: Groups containing people with different backgrounds or identities.
Explanation: This is a very broad expression and should be clarified when necessary.
Example Sentence: “The organization collaborates with diverse groups across the region.”
Best Use: General communication
Worst Use: Demographic analysis
Tone: Broad, neutral, flexible
Context Variability: Meetings, websites, presentations
27. Phrase: People From Different Backgrounds
Meaning: People with different personal, cultural, social, or demographic experiences.
Explanation: This is natural but does not specifically refer to race.
Example Sentence: “The workplace brings together people from different backgrounds.”
Best Use: Casual communication
Worst Use: Racial statistics
Tone: Friendly, natural, broad
Context Variability: Conversation, workplace, general writing
28. Phrase: Culturally Diverse Communities
Meaning: Communities containing people from different cultural backgrounds.
Explanation: This emphasizes culture rather than race or ethnicity.
Example Sentence: “The festival celebrates culturally diverse communities.”
Best Use: Cultural contexts
Worst Use: Race statistics
Tone: Positive, inclusive, descriptive
Context Variability: Events, tourism, community writing
29. Phrase: Diverse Cultural and Ethnic Communities
Meaning: Communities representing different cultural and ethnic identities.
Explanation: This works well when both culture and ethnicity are relevant.
Example Sentence: “The initiative supports diverse cultural and ethnic communities.”
Best Use: Community programs
Worst Use: Race only
Tone: Inclusive, formal, descriptive
Context Variability: Nonprofits, public communication, education
30. Phrase: People From a Variety of Communities
Meaning: People belonging to different communities or social groups.
Explanation: This is a broad alternative that avoids making race the central category.
Example Sentence: “The conference welcomed people from a variety of communities.”
Best Use: General communication
Worst Use: Demographic reporting
Tone: Neutral, welcoming, broad
Context Variability: Events, websites, spoken English
Mini Quiz and Self Check
1. Which phrase is most suitable for a demographic research report?
A. People from all sorts of backgrounds
B. Diverse racial and ethnic populations
C. Lots of different people
D. Different kinds of people
Answer: B
2. You are writing a workplace report about recruitment. Which option is most precise?
A. People of all kinds
B. Everybody
C. Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
D. Various people
Answer: C
3. You are having a casual conversation and the exact racial categories are not important. Which option sounds natural?
A. People from different backgrounds
B. Historically marginalized racial groups
C. Racial and ethnic populations
D. Demographic minorities
Answer: A
4. A report specifically examines ethnicity rather than race. Which phrase is most appropriate?
A. People from diverse ethnic backgrounds
B. Racialized communities
C. Underrepresented racial groups
D. Racially diverse people
Answer: A
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Racial and ethnic minorities | Formal | Demographic discussions |
| Racialized communities | Academic | Social research |
| People from diverse racial backgrounds | Neutral | General communication |
| Underrepresented racial groups | Professional | Workplace contexts |
| Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups | Formal | Institutional writing |
| Racially diverse communities | Professional | Community discussions |
| People from diverse communities | Neutral | Public communication |
| Racial and ethnic communities | Formal | Policy discussions |
| People from different ethnic backgrounds | Natural | Education and conversation |
| Racial and ethnic groups | Precise | Research and reporting |
FAQs
What are other ways to say “people of color” professionally?
Professional options include “underrepresented racial and ethnic groups,” “racially diverse communities,” and “racial and ethnic groups,” depending on the context.
Is “people of color” polite?
Yes. “People of color” is generally considered a respectful expression in contemporary English, although preferences can vary by person, community, region, and context.
What is a formal alternative to “people of color”?
“Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups” can be a useful formal alternative when the discussion concerns representation. However, the most precise term depends on the specific context.
Can I use “racial and ethnic minorities” instead?
Yes, when discussing demographic or institutional contexts where the term accurately describes the groups involved. In some contexts, “underrepresented racial and ethnic groups” may be more appropriate.
What should I use instead of “people of color” at work?
Choose a phrase that accurately describes your topic. For example, “racially and ethnically diverse employees” may work well when discussing a workforce, while a specific racial or ethnic group may be preferable when that information is relevant.
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say “people of color” gives you more control over tone, precision, and audience awareness. Broad expressions can work well in general conversation, while professional and academic contexts often benefit from terminology that clearly communicates the demographic or social category being discussed.
The key is to avoid replacing one phrase automatically with another. Consider who you are talking about, why you are mentioning their identity, and whether a more specific description would improve clarity. Practice these alternatives in sentences, presentations, and workplace writing, and your vocabulary will become more flexible and confident.
CTA: Which alternative would you use in a professional conversation? Share your choice and practice sentence.
