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noun Uncommon

Mayo

MAY-oh

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
1
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
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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

Etymology

The name of the village and county in Ireland is from Irish Maigh Eo (“plain of yew trees”).

Origin: Irish

Related words

Rhymes for Mayo

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary