british

British is an adjective and a noun used to refer to the United Kingdom and its people, culture, or things associated with it. A British person generally means a citizen of the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The term does not designate ethnicity; the UK’s population is ethnically diverse, and many residents hold multiple identities.

Geographically, the United Kingdom comprises four nations on the island of Great Britain and the island of Ireland: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The word "British" ultimately derives from Britannia, the Roman name for the island, and is commonly used for things connected with the UK rather than with any single nation inside it. The term "Great Britain" designates the island; "Britain" is used loosely in everyday speech.

Citizenship and identity: British citizenship is a legal status under British nationality law, granting certain rights and duties in the UK and abroad. People may identify as British, English, Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish, or hold multiple identities. In many contexts, "British" is used in official, sports, or global branding to denote the UK as a whole.

Language: English is the predominant language, with regional languages such as Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Irish recognized in respective regions. The term "British English" refers to varieties used in the UK. The UK is multicultural, with communities from many linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Historical development: The political entity began with early kingdoms and unions, forming the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707, the United Kingdom in 1801, and the current United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1927, with devolution since the late 20th century granting Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland varying degrees of self-government.