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noun Uncommon

Yankee

YANG-kee
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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.”

noun
1
An informal term for someone from the United States, especially (historically) the northern states or New England.
"To much of the world, "Yankee" simply means an American."
2
A player for the New York Yankees baseball team.
"The Yankee at bat hit a home run in the ninth inning."

How to use Yankee

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA word for an American — its exact meaning narrows depending on who is using it and where.

UK vs US

Outside the US, "Yankee" (or "Yank") usually just means "American." Within the US, Southerners often use it specifically for Northerners.

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Word forms

Plural
Yankees
Third person singular
Yankees
Past tense
Yankeed
Test yourself on “Yankee” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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."

Origin: Dutch · First attested 1765

Class of 1765 Yankee joined the language around 1765.
See the full Class of 1765 →

Synonyms

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northerner new englander Yank

Related words

American pull drag jerk northerner yank southerner pom

Rhymes for Yankee

ee see bee wee nee pee fee tee zee gee vee ree
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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Vocabulary lists that include Yankee:

Words with Dutch origins Words that start with Y

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American pull drag jerk northerner yank southerner pom