Yankee
Yankee (noun) means an informal term for someone from the United States, especially (historically) the northern states or New England. Example: “To much of the world, "Yankee" simply means an American.”
How to use Yankee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA word for an American — its exact meaning narrows depending on who is using it and where.
Outside the US, "Yankee" (or "Yank") usually just means "American." Within the US, Southerners often use it specifically for Northerners.
Word forms
Yankeed past tense, Yankees plural, Yankees singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
To much of the world, "_____" simply means an American.
Etymology
First recorded in 1765 as a mocking name Southern colonists gave to New Englanders; its deeper origin is debated, with theories ranging from a Native American word to a Dutch nickname, Janke, a pet form of "Jan."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Yankee
See all rhymes for Yankee →Frequently asked questions
What does “Yankee” mean?
The word “Yankee” means an informal term for someone from the United States, especially (historically) the northern states or New England. In plain terms, a word for an American — its exact meaning narrows depending on who is using it and where.
How do you pronounce “Yankee”?
“Yankee” is pronounced YANG-kee (/ˈjæŋ.ki/ in IPA).
How do you use “Yankee” in a sentence?
Here is “Yankee” used in a sentence: “To much of the world, "Yankee" simply means an American.”
What part of speech is “Yankee”?
“Yankee” is a noun.
Where does the word “Yankee” come from?
The word “Yankee” dates back to around 1765 and comes from Dutch. First recorded in 1765 as a mocking name Southern colonists gave to New Englanders; its deeper origin is debated, with theories ranging from a Native American word to a Dutch nickname, Janke, a pet form of "Jan.".
Is “Yankee” a common word?
“Yankee” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Yankee” have?
“Yankee” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal term for someone from the United States, especially (historically) the northern states or New England.
Is "Yankee" an insult or a neutral term?
Whether "Yankee" is neutral or an insult depends heavily on context and who is speaking. In the United States it can carry regional connotations, historically distinguishing someone from the northern states or New England, while outside the US it's often used informally and neutrally for any American.
Does "Yankee" always refer to a baseball player?
No, "Yankee" only refers to a baseball player specifically when capitalized and used in the context of the New York Yankees team. Its more general and older sense is an informal term for someone from the United States, particularly the northern states or New England.
Why do some Americans object to being called a "Yankee"?
In the US, "Yankee" historically distinguished people from the northern states or New England from those in the South, so some southerners use or hear it as a regional label rather than a general term for all Americans. Outside the US, this regional distinction is usually lost, and the word is used loosely for any American.
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