Mulatto is an old noun for a person with one Black parent and one White parent. It is now widely considered offensivecausing hurt, insult, or strong disapproval and outdatedno longer current or accepted in modern use, so modern writing usually uses more respectful alternativesother choices that can be used in place of something instead.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌmjuːˈlæt.oʊ/
Easy pronunciation: myoo-LAT-oh (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the second syllable.
Use this pronunciation for the noun meaning an offspring of a Black and a White parent; the term is outdated and offensive.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Mulatto Meaning
an outdated and offensive word for a person with one Black parent and one White parent
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an offspring of a Black and a White parent
Example: The term mulatto is considered offensive in modern English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using mulatto as a neutral modern term
- Treating it as a general synonym for biracial or mixed-race without noting that it is offensive and outdated
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mulatto mean?
Mulatto is an old word for a person with one Black parent and one White parent. It is now widely regarded as offensive and outdated.
Is mulatto a polite word?
No. In modern English, mulatto is generally considered offensive and should be avoided.
What should I use instead of mulatto?
Use more respectful modern terms such as biracial, mixed-race, or a more specific description when appropriate.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
