American

/ə'merikən/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Relating to the Americas: Of or pertaining to the continents and islands of North, Central, and South America.
    • Relating to the United States: Of or pertaining to the United States of America, its people, culture, or language.
  2. Noun:

    • An inhabitant of the Americas: A native or citizen of any country in North, Central, or South America.
    • A citizen of the United States: A native or inhabitant of the United States of America.
    • The English language of the United States: The variety of the English language as used in the United States.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:
    • The Amazon is an important part of the American ecosystem. (Referring to the continent of South America.)
    • She is studying American history in college. (Referring to the United States.)
  • Noun:
    • Many Americans from Canada and Brazil attended the conference. (Referring to inhabitants of the Americas.)
    • He is an American from New York. (Referring to a U.S. citizen.)
    • The book was translated into American for its U.S. release. (Referring to U.S. English.)
Advanced Usage
  • "The American Dream": A national ethos of the United States centered on the opportunity for prosperity and success through hard work.
    • They moved to the country in pursuit of the American Dream.
  • "All-American": Typically used to describe something or someone regarded as embodying the ideal qualities of the United States, such as wholesomeness or patriotism.
    • He was an All-American football player in college.
Variants and Related Words
  • Pan-American (adj): Concerning all the countries of North, Central, and South America.
    • The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads.
  • Americanize (verb): To make or become American in character or nationality.
    • The immigrant community gradually Americanized.
  • Americanism (noun): A word, phrase, or custom characteristic of or originating in the United States.
    • The word "sidewalk" is an Americanism for the British "pavement".
Synonyms
  • U.S. (adj): Pertaining to the United States (often used attributively).
    • U.S. foreign policy.
  • Stateside (adj, adv, informal): Of, in, or to the continental United States.
    • She received a letter from Stateside.
Related Phrases
  • American as apple pie: Used to describe something considered quintessentially characteristic of the United States or its culture.
    • Baseball is as American as apple pie.
  • American English: The set of dialects of the English language native to the United States.
    • She teaches American English pronunciation.
Adjective
  1. of or relating to or characteristic of the continents and islands of the Americas
    • the American hemisphere
    • American flora and fauna
  2. of or relating to the United States of America or its people or language or culture
    • American citizens
    • American English
    • the American dream
Noun
  1. a native or inhabitant of a North American or Central American or South American country
  2. the English language as used in the United States
  3. a native or inhabitant of the United States