American meaning

American as a noun

1. a native or inhabitant of the United States

   Type of: inhabitant

   Kinds: Asian American, Creole, Anglo-American, Alabaman, Alaskan, Arizonan, Arkansan, Bay Stater, Bostonian, Californian, Carolinian, Coloradan

   Related forms: Americanize

2. the English language as used in the United States

   Synonyms: American English, American language

   Type of: English

   Kinds: African American Vernacular English

3. a native or inhabitant of a North American or Central American or South American country

   Type of: inhabitant

   Kinds: Creole, Latin American, North American, South American, Mesoamerican, West Indian

American as an adjective

1. of or relating to the United States of America or its people or language or culture
   • American citizens
   • American English
   • the American dream

   Related forms: Americanize, America

2. of or relating to or characteristic of the continents and islands of the Americas
   • the American hemisphere
   • American flora and fauna

   Related forms: America

How to pronounce American

American is pronounced /əˈmɛrɪkən/ in British English and /əˈmɛrəkən/ in American English. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.