chicagoan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal/informal
Quick answer
What does “chicagoan” mean?
A native or inhabitant of the city of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A native or inhabitant of the city of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
A person who identifies with or has strong cultural ties to Chicago, often characterized by pride in the city, its distinctive regional culture (e.g., sports, food like deep-dish pizza, and accent), and a sense of resilience and hard-working attitude sometimes stereotypically associated with the city.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American English term; used in British English only when discussing Chicago or its people. British speakers would more commonly use the descriptive phrase 'from Chicago'.
Connotations
In American English, it carries connotations of civic pride, Midwest identity, and specific cultural traits. In British English, it is a neutral geographical identifier.
Frequency
Very common in US media and discourse; rare in general UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “chicagoan” in a Sentence
[be] + a + Chicagoan[identify as] + a + ChicagoanVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The merger was led by a consortium of Chicagoan investors.'
Academic
'The study focused on the voting patterns of the Chicagoan electorate from 1950-2000.'
Everyday
'As a lifelong Chicagoan, I can tell you the best spots for a hot dog.'
Technical
[not applicable]
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chicagoan”
- Incorrect capitalization (*chicagoan*), using plural 'Chicagoans' as singular (*a Chicagoans*).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can refer to anyone who lives in and identifies with Chicago, even if not born there, though 'native Chicagoan' specifies birth.
The plural is 'Chicagoans' (pronounced with a 'z' sound: /ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊənz/).
Yes, it can be used attributively to describe things characteristic of Chicago or its people (e.g., 'Chicagoan cuisine', 'a Chicagoan attitude').
No, 'Chicagoan' is gender-neutral.
A native or inhabitant of the city of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Chicagoan is usually formal/informal in register.
Chicagoan: in British English it is pronounced /ʃɪˈkɑːɡəʊən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not idiom-specific]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Chicago' + '-an' (like 'American'). A person from Chicago is a Chicago-an.
Conceptual Metaphor
CITY AS IDENTITY (The city is a core part of a person's character and community affiliation).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'Chicagoan' MOST appropriately used?