The Slovenes, Slovene people, Slovenians, or Slovenian people (Slovene: Slovenci) are the northernmost South Slavic ethnic group living in historical Slovene lands, surrounded by German-speaking Austrians on the north, Italian-speaking and Friulan-speaking neighbors to the west, a Hungarian-speaking population to the northeast, and a Slavic Croatian-speakers to the south and southeast.

The language the Slovenes speak is Slovene, a South Slavic language with significant similarities to the West Slavic languages.

The Slovenes live mainly in Slovenia, and as a minority in Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and Italy, where they are indigenous.

Expatriates live mainly in other European countries, and in the United States, Canada, Argentina and Australia.