American
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for American, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A citizen or native of the United States.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use American
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “American” mean?
The word “American” means a citizen or native of the United States. In plain terms, usually means "of the United States," though strictly the word can refer to anyone from the Americas.
How do you pronounce “American”?
“American” is pronounced uh-MAIR-rih-kuhn (/əˈmɛɹ.ɪ.kən/ in IPA).
How do you use “American” in a sentence?
Here is “American” used in a sentence: “Millions of Americans travel abroad every summer.”
What is another word for “American”?
Words with a similar meaning to “American” include Western Hemispherian and New Worlder.
What part of speech is “American”?
Depending on how it is used, “American” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “American” a common word?
“American” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “American” have?
“American” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a citizen or native of the United States.
Does 'American' only mean someone from the USA?
In everyday English, yes — 'American' almost always refers to a citizen or native of the United States. Technically, the Americas span North and South America, so some people from other nations in those continents object to the exclusive usage, but common usage strongly favors the US meaning.
Is 'American' a nationality?
Yes. 'American' is the demonym, or nationality term, for people of the United States, just as 'Canadian' is for Canada. It functions as both a noun ('she is an American') and an adjective ('American culture'), identifying someone's national origin or citizenship.
What is the difference between an American and a US citizen?
'US citizen' is a precise legal status granting rights like voting and a passport. 'American' is broader and more informal: it can describe citizens, but also natives or long-term residents identified with the country. Every US citizen is American, but the word 'American' carries cultural weight too.