noun
americano
noun
1
A coffee made by diluting a shot of espresso with hot water.
"She ordered a large americano to go."
2
A cocktail made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water.
"The bartender mixed him a classic americano before dinner."
How to Use Americano
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually means an espresso stretched with hot water; can also mean a specific Italian cocktail.
Common pairings
order an americano
a shot of espresso for an americano
Word Forms
americanos plural
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Etymology
From Italian caffè americano, "American coffee," a name coined because American soldiers in Italy diluted strong espresso with water to taste more like the coffee back home.