French word

américain

Pronunciation

IPA/ameʁikɛ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectiveAmerican

Example

Il est américain.

He is American.

Illustration for américain (American)

More examples

Il y a beaucoup de touristes américains dans cette ville.

There are many American tourists in this city.

Core concept

A person, product, or feature bearing the stamp of the United States.

Common phrases

  • un touriste américain

    an American tourist

Similar words

étasunien: A person from the United States or something originating there.

Definition in French

Qui est originaire des États-Unis ou en a la nationalité ; qui se rapporte aux États-Unis.

Word origin

The word was formed in French from Amérique and the suffix -ain, and Amérique ultimately honors the explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

Usage tips

  • French usually uses américain for the United States, while étasunien can specify the country when a reference to the wider Americas could cause ambiguity.

Other meanings

  • American-madeadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • américaniserAmericanizeverb
  • américanisationAmericanizationnoun
  • américanismeAmericanismnoun

Word lists with this word