adj
Very common
Canadian
kuh-NAY-dee-uhn
Canadian (adj) means relating to Canada, its people, or its culture. Example: “They enjoyed a Canadian breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup.”
adj
1
Relating to Canada, its people, or its culture.
"They enjoyed a Canadian breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup."
"After Trump spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in April 2017, the two sides offered vastly different accounts of what was discussed."
— Kaitlan Collins, Exclusive: White House stops announcing calls with foreign leaders (2018)
noun
1
A person from Canada.
"Even the Canadians have gone to war against them! They never go to war against anybody!"
— Jenni Fagan, Luckenbooth (2021)
"Many Canadians are proud of their country's natural scenery."
How to use Canadian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes anything belonging to or coming from Canada, or a citizen of Canada.
Common pairings
Canadian citizen
Canadian winter
Canadian accent
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Word forms
- Plural
- Canadians
- Comparative
- more Canadian
- Superlative
- most Canadian
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They enjoyed a _____ breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup.
Etymology
From Canada + the adjective-forming suffix -ian.
Synonyms
View more →
Canuck
Antonyms
non-Canadian
Rhymes for Canadian
See all rhymes for Canadian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Canadian” mean?
The word “Canadian” means relating to Canada, its people, or its culture. In plain terms, describes anything belonging to or coming from Canada, or a citizen of Canada.
How do you pronounce “Canadian”?
“Canadian” is pronounced kuh-NAY-dee-uhn (/kəˈneɪ.di.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Canadian” in a sentence?
Here is “Canadian” used in a sentence: “They enjoyed a Canadian breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup.”
What is the opposite of “Canadian”?
The opposite of “Canadian” — its antonyms — is non-Canadian.
What part of speech is “Canadian”?
Depending on how it is used, “Canadian” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “Canadian” a common word?
“Canadian” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Canadian” have?
“Canadian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Canada, its people, or its culture.
What does Canadian mean?
Canadian describes anything relating to Canada, including its people, culture, land, or institutions. As an adjective it labels things belonging to the country, as in Canadian cuisine or Canadian history. As a noun it names a person who is a citizen of Canada or who comes from there.
What languages do Canadian people speak?
Canada has two official languages, English and French, so being Canadian often means using one or both. French is especially common in Quebec, while English predominates in most other provinces. Many Canadians also speak Indigenous languages or the languages of immigrant communities, reflecting the country's multicultural character.
What is an example of something Canadian?
Canadian things include people born in Canada, symbols like the maple leaf and the Mountie, foods such as poutine and maple syrup, and institutions like Canadian universities or the Canadian dollar. The word simply marks a connection to Canada, whether in nationality, origin, culture, or ownership.
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