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argentine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low
UK/ˈɑː.dʒən.taɪn/US/ˈɑːr.dʒən.tiːn/

Formal / Literary / Scientific (ichthyology); 'Argentine' (for a person/nationality) is largely formal/dated.

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Quick answer

What does “argentine” mean?

Relating to or made of silver.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Relating to or made of silver; silvery.

A person from Argentina; of or relating to Argentina (more commonly 'Argentinian' or 'Argentinean'). Also used for a small, silvery marine fish of the genus Argentina.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Both use 'Argentine' as a formal demonym, though 'Argentinian' is increasingly preferred in speech. The archaic/literary 'silvery' sense is equally rare. The fish name is used in both scientific contexts.

Connotations

UK: In official/proper names (Argentine Embassy). US: Slightly more likely to use 'Argentinian' colloquially.

Frequency

Very low frequency overall. The demonym sense is encountered more often in formal writing/news. The 'silvery' sense is extremely rare.

Grammar

How to Use “argentine” in a Sentence

<Noun> of argentine beautyan <Adjective> argentine <Noun>the Argentine

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
Argentine tangoArgentine Republicargentine fish
medium
argentine sheenArgentine governmentArgentine beef
weak
argentine lightArgentine writerArgentine coast

Examples

Examples of “argentine” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • [No verb form]

American English

  • [No verb form]

adverb

British English

  • [No standard adverbial form]

American English

  • [No standard adverbial form]

adjective

British English

  • The moon cast an argentine glow on the lake.
  • She studied Argentine economic policy.

American English

  • The knight's argentine armor shone brightly.
  • He invested in Argentine bonds.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Argentine exports, Argentine peso.

Academic

In literature: 'argentine armour'. In geography/politics: 'Argentine history'.

Everyday

Rare. Possibly 'Argentine steak' or 'Argentine football'.

Technical

In ichthyology: 'The argentine (Argentina sphyraena) is a deep-sea fish.'

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “argentine”

Strong

argent (heraldry)silver

Neutral

silveryArgentinian

Weak

gleaminglustrousSouth American

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “argentine”

dullmattenon-Argentine

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “argentine”

  • Using 'Argentine' for a person in casual conversation (sounds stiff).
  • Misspelling as 'Argentinian' when 'Argentine' is required in proper names.
  • Pronouncing the '-ine' as /aɪn/ (like 'mine') in the demonym; it's typically /iːn/ or /ɪn/ in US/UK respectively for this sense.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Both are acceptable. 'Argentinian' is more common in everyday modern English. 'Argentine' is often used in formal or official contexts (e.g., Argentine ambassador).

Its original and now literary meaning is 'made of or resembling silver; silvery'. It is also the name of a type of small, silvery fish.

For the nationality: UK /ˈɑː.dʒən.taɪn/ or /-tiːn/, US /ˈɑːr.dʒən.tiːn/ or /-taɪn/. For the 'silvery' sense or the fish, it's often /ˈɑː.dʒən.taɪn/ (UK) /ˈɑːr.dʒən.taɪn/ (US).

Yes. 1) A person from Argentina (formal). 2) A fish of the genus Argentina. 3) (Poetic) Something silvery.

Relating to or made of silver.

Argentine is usually formal / literary / scientific (ichthyology); 'argentine' (for a person/nationality) is largely formal/dated. in register.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “[no common idioms]”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'argent' (French for silver/money) + 'ine' (like 'crystalline') = silvery. For the country, remember 'The Argentine' sounds like a formal, old-world name.

Conceptual Metaphor

SILVER IS PURITY / VALUE (argentine = pure, valuable like silver).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The old mirror had lost its once finish.
Multiple Choice

In which context is 'argentine' used as a technical term?