adjective

biracial

bye-RAY-shul/ˌbaɪˈreɪʃl/

Relating to two racial groups.

The biracial daughter stands between her parents, a hand on each shoulder.

An adult daughter stands warmly between her two parents, one hand on each parent's shoulder; natural family resemblance and individual features, no labels or exaggerated racial cues.

Etymology

biLatintwo, double

+racEnglishethnic or racial group

+ialEnglishrelating to

Racial turns race into a description of group relationship or characteristics. With “two” added, biracial describes involvement with two racial groups, including ancestry from both.

In context

djvlad0:32

now you grew up in a biracial family right your mother is black and your father is white correct

Karyn Parsons on Growing Up with a Black Mom and a White Dad in the 70s (Part 1)

More examples

The memoir explores growing up in a biracial family.
The group brings together people from biracial backgrounds.
The study examines relations within a biracial community.

Similar words

multiracial: Involves multiple racial groups without specifying exactly two.
bicultural: Concerns two cultures rather than necessarily two racial groups.