amish: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Neutral
Quick answer
What does “amish” mean?
A conservative Anabaptist Christian group, originating in Switzerland and Alsace in the late 17th century, known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt modern technology.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A conservative Anabaptist Christian group, originating in Switzerland and Alsace in the late 17th century, known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt modern technology.
Used to describe the culture, lifestyle, beliefs, or artifacts associated with the Amish people. Can also refer, often loosely, to things perceived as extremely traditional, simple, or non-technological.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The referent is largely the same, but awareness and contextual usage differ. In the US, the Amish are a well-known domestic cultural group, especially in certain regions. In the UK, they are more likely to be referenced as a foreign, primarily American, cultural curiosity.
Connotations
US: Strong associations with Pennsylvania, farming, craftsmanship, tourism, and religious freedom. UK: Often viewed as a quintessential example of American cultural oddity or extreme traditionalism.
Frequency
Substantially more frequent in American English due to geographical and cultural presence. In UK English, it appears in contexts discussing comparative religion, traditional lifestyles, or American studies.
Grammar
How to Use “amish” in a Sentence
the + Amish (plural noun)Amish + noun (attributive adjective)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amish” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The documentary explored families who had chosen to Amish themselves, shunning the internet.
American English
- After his tech burnout, he joked about wanting to Amish his whole life.
adverb
British English
- They live very Amishly, without a car or television.
- (Extremely rare and stylistically marked)
American English
- The house was furnished Amishly, with hand-made quilts and wooden rockers.
- (Extremely rare and stylistically marked)
adjective
British English
- They bought a beautiful, solid Amish cabinet for their dining room.
American English
- We took a drive through the Amish countryside of Lancaster County.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism marketing ('Visit Amish Country') or specific crafts (Amish furniture).
Academic
Common in anthropology, religious studies, sociology, and North American cultural history.
Everyday
Used when discussing travel, culture, religion, or simplicity. 'It's like an Amish farm' to describe a place without electricity.
Technical
Specific in ethnographic, theological, or historical writing to denote the specific group and its sub-divisions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amish”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “amish”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amish”
- Using 'Amish' as a countable noun (*an Amish, *two Amishes). Correct: 'an Amish person', 'the Amish'.
- Confusing Amish with Mennonites, Shakers, or Quakers.
- Misspelling as 'Ammish'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Both are Anabaptist groups originating from the Protestant Reformation. The Amish are a stricter, more conservative offshoot of the Mennonites, formed in 1693 under the leadership of Jakob Ammann. They differ in specific practices like shunning (Meidung), dress codes, and technology use.
Yes, the Amish pay most taxes, including income, property, and sales taxes. They are, however, exempt from paying and receiving US Social Security benefits due to religious objections to commercial insurance, based on a 1965 law.
Rumspringa (Pennsylvania Dutch for 'running around') is a period for Amish adolescents, typically beginning around age 16, where rules are relaxed. It allows young people to experience the non-Amish world before deciding whether to commit to the church through adult baptism.
It is possible but extremely rare and difficult. Conversion requires a profound commitment to the faith, learning the dialect (Pennsylvania Dutch/German), adopting the entire Ordnung (set of rules) of the specific community, and being accepted by that community through baptism.
A conservative Anabaptist Christian group, originating in Switzerland and Alsace in the late 17th century, known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt modern technology.
Amish is usually formal / neutral in register.
Amish: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑːmɪʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːmɪʃ/ OR /ˈæmɪʃ/ (regional). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go Amish (slang: to reject modern technology)”
- “Amish paradise (humorous reference to a simple life)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'A-mish' as in 'I wish for a simple life' – the Amish are known for their simple, wish-free lifestyle.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE AMISH ARE AN ISLAND (of tradition in a sea of modernity). SIMPLICITY IS PURITY. TECHNOLOGY IS CORRUPTION.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically associated with the Amish?