arapahoe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Anthropological
Quick answer
What does “arapahoe” mean?
A member of a Native American people originally from the Great Plains region of North America.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a Native American people originally from the Great Plains region of North America.
Pertaining to the Arapaho people, their culture, or their Algonquian language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is used in both varieties in historical, anthropological, and geographical contexts related to North America.
Connotations
Historical, cultural, specific to North American indigenous history.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to geographical and historical relevance.
Grammar
How to Use “arapahoe” in a Sentence
[the] Arapahoe (noun)Arapahoe + noun (adjective)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arapahoe” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The museum has an excellent collection of Arapahoe beadwork.
- He studied the Arapahoe dialect.
American English
- The Arapahoe Sun Dance was a central ceremony.
- She is a scholar of Arapahoe mythology.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific contexts like business names or tourism in relevant regions (e.g., 'Arapahoe Basin ski resort').
Academic
Used in anthropology, history, linguistics, and Native American studies.
Everyday
Very low frequency. Might be encountered in place names (e.g., Arapahoe Road) or historical discussions.
Technical
Used in ethnography and historical documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arapahoe”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arapahoe”
- Misspelling: 'Arapaho' (also correct) vs. 'Arapahoe'. 'Arapahoe' is a common variant.
- Using as a common noun (e.g., 'an arapahoe') instead of a proper noun ('an Arapahoe person').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the spelling 'Arapahoe' is standard. The variant 'Arapaho' (without the 'e') is equally correct and common.
Yes, it can function as an adjective to describe things pertaining to the Arapahoe people (e.g., Arapahoe culture, Arapahoe language).
Today, the Northern Arapahoe Tribe is federally recognized and is located with the Shoshone on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. The Southern Arapahoe Tribe is in Oklahoma.
No, 'Arapahoe'/'Arapaho' is the standard, respectful English name for this people, derived from their own name. It is not considered a pejorative term.
A member of a Native American people originally from the Great Plains region of North America.
Arapahoe is usually formal, historical, anthropological in register.
Arapahoe: in British English it is pronounced /əˈræpəhəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈræpəhoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A rapper, huh?' -> but it's 'Arapahoe', a people known for their plains life and sign language.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this proper noun.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Arapahoe' primarily used to refer to?