American

USuh-MER-i-kuhn/əˈmɛɹ.ɪ.kən/uh-MAIR-i-kuhn/əˈmɛɹ.ɪ.kən/

14 meanings of American

1
of the USadjective
From the United States, or having to do with its people or way of life.
He loves American food like burgers and apple pie.
The crowd cheered for the American team at the race.
UsageAlways write it with a big A. You can say more American about style or feeling.
2
US citizennouncountable
A person who is a citizen of the United States.
He became an American after passing his citizenship test.
Many Americans travel to other countries every summer.
UsageYou can say I'm American or I'm an American. Both are correct.
Note
3
both continentsadjective
From North or South America, or having to do with the people and places there.
Corn is an American plant that now grows all over the world.
Llamas are American animals from the mountains of South America.

Less common meanings

4
person (both continents)nouncountable
Any person who lives in North or South America.
People in Mexico, Brazil, and Canada are all Americans because they live in the Americas.
A person from Peru is an American too, since Peru is in South America.
Note
5
cheesenoununcountableabbreviationclipping
A soft, mild cheese that melts well, often sold in thin slices.
Do you want American or Swiss on your sandwich?
She melted a slice of American on top of the eggs.
UsagePeople say with American or a slice of American. Write it with a big A.
Note
6
US Englishnouncolloquialhumorousuncountable
The English spoken in the United States, talked about as if it were a separate language.
My British friend jokes that he needs a translator for my American.
After a year in New York, she spoke perfect American.
UsageOften in speak American. In serious writing, say American English.
Note
7
Indigenousadjectivearchaic
Having to do with the native peoples of North and South America.
The travelers traded for American baskets woven by the local tribes.
The museum shows old American tools made of stone and bone.
8
native personnounarchaic
A person from one of the native peoples of North or South America.
The first explorers met Americans who had lived on the land for thousands of years.
The Americans believe that all creatures have souls.
1711, Joseph Addison, The SpectatorHere, Americans means the native peoples of the Americas.
UsageToday, say Indigenous peoples, or use the name of the person's people.
Note
9
British coloniesadjectivehistorical
Having to do with the British colonies in North America, before the United States existed.
American ships carried tobacco from the colonies to Britain.
The American towns along the coast traded with London merchants.
Similarcolonial
10
person (British colonies)nounhistoricalcountable
A person who lived in the British colonies in America before the United States existed.
Many Americans in the colonies were angry about the new British taxes.
An American from Virginia sent his sons to school in England.
Similarcolonist
Note
11
person (Latin colonies)nounobsolete
A person who lived in the lands ruled by France or Spain in the Americas long ago.
An American from the Spanish colonies sold sugar and silver to the traders.
Some Americans from the French islands moved to Paris with their families.
Note
12
type sizenoundatedUSuncountable
A very small size of letters once used in printing.
American was the name for the very smallest size of printing type.
Letters set in American are so tiny you need a magnifying glass to read them.
Note
13
adjective
Describing a financial option that can be used on any day before it ends.
14
noun
A steam train engine with four small front wheels and four big driving wheels.

Practice

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Origin

From America plus the ending -n.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

American derives from America plus the suffix -n. en.wiktionary.org