american indian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, official (in government/legal contexts), historical; increasingly supplemented by more specific terms in everyday use.
Quick answer
What does “american indian” mean?
A member of any of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, especially of North America.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of any of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, especially of North America.
Relating to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, their cultures, languages, or history. Also used as an umbrella term, though with important contemporary distinctions and preferences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is broadly similar, given the shared historical context of European colonisation. The term is less common in everyday British English, which might use 'Native American' more frequently in general discussion about the US, unless referring to specific official titles.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries historical weight. In the US, it is associated with formal, legal, and some activist contexts. It can be perceived as a respectful, identity-based term or as an outdated colonial label, depending on context and speaker preference.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to direct relevance. In British English, it's primarily encountered in historical, anthropological, or news contexts relating to North America.
Grammar
How to Use “american indian” in a Sentence
[be] + American Indian[of] American Indian descentAmerican Indian + noun (e.g., tribe, leader)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “american indian” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The museum has a gallery dedicated to American Indian artefacts.
- She is studying American Indian folklore.
American English
- The American Indian Citizenship Act was passed in 1924.
- He is a member of an American Indian tribe in Oklahoma.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts related to tourism, cultural heritage projects, or specific industries on reservations.
Academic
Common in historical, anthropological, and legal studies, often with discussion of its appropriateness. Co-exists with 'Native American' and 'Indigenous peoples'.
Everyday
Used, but with growing awareness that many individuals prefer 'Native American' or their specific tribal affiliation. Often heard in older generations or formal reports.
Technical
Used in specific legal and governmental terminology in the US (e.g., 'American Indian Law', 'federally recognized American Indian tribe').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “american indian”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “american indian”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “american indian”
- Using 'Indian' alone to mean American Indian, which is ambiguous (could refer to India).
- Assuming 'American Indian' is the only or always preferred term.
- Using the term without capitalising both words (incorrect: 'american indian').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not universally offensive; many individuals and groups use it for self-identification, especially in official contexts. However, it is a product of historical error, and some prefer 'Native American' or specific tribal names. Sensitivity and context are key.
They are often used interchangeably, but 'Native American' is a more recent, broader term meant to encompass all indigenous peoples of the US. 'American Indian' is more specific to the contiguous US and has deep roots in legal and historical documents. Preference varies.
In contexts referring to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, 'American Indian' is clearer and generally preferred over 'Indian' alone, which is ambiguous and can refer to someone from India. In the US, 'Indian' is still used in specific legal phrases (e.g., 'Indian reservation').
The standard terms in Canada are 'First Nations' (for many, but not all, indigenous groups), 'Inuit', and 'Métis'. The collective term is often 'Indigenous peoples' or 'Aboriginal peoples'. 'American Indian' is not standard in Canadian usage.
A member of any of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, especially of North America.
American indian is usually formal, official (in government/legal contexts), historical; increasingly supplemented by more specific terms in everyday use. in register.
American indian: in British English it is pronounced /əˈmɛrɪkən ˈɪndiən/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈmɛrɪkən ˈɪndiən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the warpath (dated, potentially offensive)”
- “Indian summer (unrelated to peoples; refers to weather)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'American Indian' as the historical name on the map Columbus drew, before he knew where he was. Remember it's a two-word label: 'American' (the continent) + 'Indian' (the mistaken identity).
Conceptual Metaphor
Often framed through metaphors of CONQUEST vs. RESISTANCE, TRADITION vs. ASSIMILATION, SOVEREIGNTY (e.g., 'nations within a nation').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'American Indian' still very commonly used?