appalachians
|ap-pa-la-chi-ans|
/ˌæpəˈlætʃənz/
(Appalachian)
Mountainous region
Etymology
'Appalachian' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'Apalachee,' which was the name used by early Spanish explorers for a Native American people encountered in what is now the southeastern United States.
'Apalachee' (Spanish) was applied to the region and then entered English as 'Appalachia' (the region). From the regional name 'Appalachia' came the adjective and demonym 'Appalachian' and the plural 'Appalachians'.
Initially it referred to the Apalachee people or the area associated with them; over time it came to denote the broader region (Appalachia), the mountain range, and people or things related to that region.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'Appalachian': people who live in or come from the Appalachian region (the inhabitants or natives of Appalachia).
Many appalachians take pride in their local music and crafts.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the Appalachian Mountains (used collectively to refer to the mountain range).
The appalachians extend from the southern United States into Canada.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to Appalachia or the Appalachian Mountains; characteristic of that region (culture, geography, etc.).
Appalachian folk traditions have influenced many American music styles.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/23 04:44