american
|a-mer-i-can|
A1
/əˈmɛrɪkən/
Relating to the United States
Etymology
Etymology Information
'American' originates from the name 'America,' which was derived from the Latinized version of the name of the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, 'Americus Vespucius.'
Historical Evolution
'America' was first used to refer to the New World in the early 16th century, and 'American' was later used to describe the inhabitants and characteristics of the continent.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the inhabitants of the New World, but over time it evolved to specifically denote people from the United States.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of the United States or its inhabitants.
The American culture is diverse and rich.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/07/13 05:23