amerindian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “amerindian” mean?
A member of the indigenous peoples of the Americas (excluding the Arctic Inuit and Aleut peoples).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of the indigenous peoples of the Americas (excluding the Arctic Inuit and Aleut peoples).
A term used to refer to the original inhabitants of North, Central, and South America, and their cultures, languages, and artifacts. It is often used in anthropological and historical contexts as a broad, collective term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, but the term is more likely to be encountered in older British texts or in global anthropological discourse. In American contexts, it is often perceived as outdated or overly broad.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a formal, technical connotation. In modern American usage, it can sometimes be seen as an impersonal or colonial-era term.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday language in both regions; higher in specialized academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “amerindian” in a Sentence
[Amerindian] + noun (e.g., Amerindian art)adjective + [Amerindian] (e.g., pre-Columbian Amerindian)of + [Amerindian] + originVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amerindian” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The museum has a remarkable collection of Amerindian pottery.
American English
- Several Amerindian languages are critically endangered.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in reports related to cultural heritage tourism or artifacts.
Academic
Common in anthropology, archaeology, history, and linguistics papers, especially older ones.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used as a classificatory term in anthropological and linguistic taxonomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amerindian”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “amerindian”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amerindian”
- Using 'Amerindian' to refer only to North American peoples (it includes Central and South America).
- Using it as a casual synonym for 'Native American'.
- Capitalization inconsistency: it is typically capitalised as a proper adjective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They overlap significantly, but 'Native American' typically refers to peoples within the modern United States, while 'Amerindian' is a broader, older term for indigenous peoples across the entire American continent.
It is not generally considered a slur, but it is often viewed as outdated, overly broad, and impersonal. When possible, using the specific name of a nation or tribe (e.g., Navajo, Quechua) is preferred for accuracy and respect.
'Indigenous' is a more global and contemporary term referring to original inhabitants anywhere. 'Amerindian' is specifically continental (the Americas) and is a more technical, classificatory term.
Yes, it is typically capitalised as it derives from proper nouns (America, India) and functions as a proper adjective for specific peoples and cultures.
A member of the indigenous peoples of the Americas (excluding the Arctic Inuit and Aleut peoples).
Amerindian is usually formal, technical in register.
Amerindian: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæm.ərˈɪn.di.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæm.ərˈɪn.di.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
AMERica + INDIAN = AMERINDIAN. Think of it as a combined word for the original peoples of the Americas, whom Columbus mistakenly called 'Indians'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TREE: Amerindian as a broad root system (the collective peoples) with many specific branches (individual tribes/nations).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Amerindian' MOST appropriately used today?