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