chicano: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal (academic, historical, sociological), Ethnic/Identity context
Quick answer
What does “chicano” mean?
A person of Mexican descent born or living in the United States.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person of Mexican descent born or living in the United States.
Relating to Mexican Americans, their culture, identity, or social movement; specifically pertaining to a political and cultural movement of the 1960s and 1970s that emphasized pride in Mexican heritage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is specific to the US context and is rarely used in a meaningful way in British English. In the UK, it might be encountered only in academic or cultural studies of US minority groups.
Connotations
In American English: Strong connotations of ethnic identity, cultural pride, and social activism. In British English: Primarily a descriptive, borrowed term with minimal cultural resonance.
Frequency
High frequency in relevant American academic and cultural discourse; very low to zero frequency in general British English.
Grammar
How to Use “chicano” in a Sentence
[be/become/identify as] a ChicanoChicano [noun] (movement/studies/artist)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chicano” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The university offered a module on Chicano film.
American English
- She is a leading scholar in Chicano literature.
- The mural is a famous example of Chicano art.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Uncommon. Might appear in marketing contexts targeting specific demographics.
Academic
Core term in Ethnic Studies, Sociology, History, and Literature departments, particularly in the US.
Everyday
Used within Mexican American communities and in discussions of race/identity in the US. Not common in general casual conversation outside these contexts.
Technical
Specific term in sociology and cultural studies for a particular ethnic identity and historical movement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chicano”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chicano”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chicano”
- Using 'Chicano' to refer to any Latino/Hispanic person.
- Using it as a generic synonym for 'Mexican'.
- Using it without awareness of its historical and political connotations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While all Chicanos are of Mexican descent in the US, the term 'Chicano' often implies a conscious cultural and political identity, whereas 'Mexican-American' is a broader demographic term.
Historically it was a pejorative, but it was reclaimed during the civil rights movement. Today, it is a term of pride for many, but it should be used with understanding of its context. It is generally not appropriate for outsiders to label someone as Chicano without their self-identification.
The feminine form is 'Chicana'. Using 'Chicano' as a default for mixed-gender groups or males, and 'Chicana' for females, is standard.
Its primary use and cultural significance are firmly within the United States. In other English-speaking countries, it is primarily an academic or descriptive term for a US phenomenon.
A person of Mexican descent born or living in the United States.
Chicano is usually formal (academic, historical, sociological), ethnic/identity context in register.
Chicano: in British English it is pronounced /tʃɪˈkɑːnəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃɪˈkɑːnoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHI' from 'Chicago' (a US city) + 'CAN' from 'American' + 'O' from 'MexicanO' = A Mexican-American.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTITY IS A POLITICAL STANCE. Being Chicano is often conceptualized as an active, conscious choice of heritage and resistance, not a passive demographic category.
Practice
Quiz
Which description best fits the term 'Chicano'?