mohave: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Ethnographic
Quick answer
What does “mohave” mean?
A member of a Native American people living along the Colorado River in Arizona and California.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a Native American people living along the Colorado River in Arizona and California.
The Yuman language spoken by the Mohave people; pertaining to the Mohave people or their culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage between UK and US English, as the term is specific to North American ethnography. The spelling 'Mojave' is more common in general American usage, especially for the desert.
Connotations
Neutral, ethnographic term. In US contexts, may more readily evoke the associated Mojave Desert.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general UK English. Slightly higher in US English due to geographical and cultural references (e.g., Mojave Desert).
Grammar
How to Use “mohave” in a Sentence
[the] Mohave (people/tribe)[the] Mohave languageMohave [noun] (e.g., Mohave art)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mohave” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The museum acquired a collection of Mohave basketry.
- She is studying Mohave phonology.
American English
- The report detailed Mohave settlement patterns.
- Mojave Desert ecology was influenced by Mohave knowledge.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in anthropology, linguistics, history, and North American studies.
Everyday
Rare, except in specific regional contexts in the southwestern United States.
Technical
Used as a precise ethnonym and glottonym in ethnographic and linguistic literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mohave”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mohave”
- Misspelling as 'Mohav', 'Moheve', or 'Mohavee'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a mohave' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with the unrelated 'Mohegan' people of the northeastern US.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Mohave' is the standard spelling for the people and language in academic ethnography. 'Mojave' is a common variant, especially in American English for the desert and in more general contexts.
It can function as both a proper noun ('the Mohave') and an adjective ('Mohave culture'). It is not used as a verb.
In American English, it is commonly /moʊˈhɑːvi/ (moh-HAH-vee). In British English, it is often /məʊˈhɑːv/ (moh-HAHV).
Their traditional homeland is along the Colorado River in what is now the states of Arizona and California, USA.
A member of a Native American people living along the Colorado River in Arizona and California.
Mohave is usually formal, academic, ethnographic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the MOHAVE living by the HOE they use to farm along the river (MO + HAVE).
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Proper noun).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Mohave' primarily used to refer to?