noun Uncommon

Mayo

MAY-oh

Quiz me More like this

Mayo (noun) means an indigenous people of northwestern Mexico, living mainly in the states of Sonora and Sinaloa, and the language they speak. Example: “The Mayo have farmed the river valleys of Sonora for generations.”

noun

An indigenous people of northwestern Mexico, living mainly in the states of Sonora and Sinaloa, and the language they speak.

"The Mayo have farmed the river valleys of Sonora for generations."

"Traditional Mayo festivals combine indigenous and Catholic elements."

How to use Mayo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn indigenous Mexican people distinct from the Maya of southern Mexico and Central America.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the Mayo people of northwest Mexico with the unrelated Maya people further south, or with the informal shortening of "mayonnaise."

Easily confused with

maya →

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like Mayo.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “Mayo” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ have farmed the river valleys of Sonora for generations.

Etymology

This village and county in Ireland takes its name from Irish Maigh Eo ("plain of yew trees").

Origin: Irish

Synonyms

View more →

mayonnaise

Related words

ketchup mayonnaise

Rhymes for Mayo

yo ryo Pyo boyo kayo toyo aiyo Yoyo Tokyo Chiyo daimyo embryo

See all rhymes for Mayo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Mayo” mean?

The word “Mayo” means an indigenous people of northwestern Mexico, living mainly in the states of Sonora and Sinaloa, and the language they speak. In plain terms, an indigenous Mexican people distinct from the Maya of southern Mexico and Central America.

How do you pronounce “Mayo”?

“Mayo” is pronounced MAY-oh (/ˈmeɪoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Mayo” in a sentence?

Here is “Mayo” used in a sentence: “The Mayo have farmed the river valleys of Sonora for generations.”

What part of speech is “Mayo”?

“Mayo” is a noun.

Is “Mayo” a common word?

“Mayo” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What language do the Mayo people speak?

The Mayo are an indigenous people of northwestern Mexico, and Mayo also refers to the language they speak. They live mainly in the Mexican states of Sonora and Sinaloa.

Is Mayo the same as mayonnaise?

In casual speech, "mayo" is a common informal shortening of mayonnaise, the condiment. This everyday usage is distinct from Mayo as the name of the indigenous people and language of northwestern Mexico.

Where do the Mayo people live?

The Mayo people live primarily in the Mexican states of Sonora and Sinaloa, in the northwestern part of the country. They are recognized as one of the indigenous peoples of that region, with their own distinct language.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include Mayo:

Words that end with O

People also searched

ketchup mayonnaise