noun
Very common
American
uh-MAIR-rih-kuhn
American (noun) means a citizen or native of the United States. Example: “Millions of Americans travel abroad every summer.”
noun
1
A citizen or native of the United States.
"Millions of Americans travel abroad every summer."
2
A person native to, or living in, any part of North, Central, or South America.
"The conference brought together delegates from across the Americas, all identifying as American in the broader sense."
3
The form of English spoken in the United States.
"The novel was translated into American for its US edition, swapping "colour" for "color.""
adj
1
Relating to the United States, its people, or its culture.
"She has a strong American accent."
"They serve classic American food — burgers, fries, the works."
How to use American
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually means "of the United States," though strictly the word can refer to anyone from the Americas.
UK vs US
In everyday British and US English alike, "American" almost always means "from the United States," even though geographers point out the term could technically cover the whole continent.
Common pairings
American English
American citizen
quintessentially American
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Word forms
- Plural
- Americans
- Comparative
- more American
- Superlative
- most American
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Millions of _____ travel abroad every summer.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for American
See all rhymes for American →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.
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