mohican: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal for hairstyle; formal for ethnonym.
Quick answer
What does “mohican” mean?
A member of an Algonquian-speaking Indigenous people originally from the upper Hudson River valley, now part of New York state.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of an Algonquian-speaking Indigenous people originally from the upper Hudson River valley, now part of New York state.
Refers to the hairstyle characterised by a strip of upright hair running from the forehead to the nape of the neck, with the sides of the head shaved. Often used to symbolise rebellion or non-conformity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'mohican' is the dominant term for the hairstyle. In the US, 'mohawk' is overwhelmingly more common.
Connotations
In both regions, the hairstyle carries strong connotations of punk culture, rebellion, or individuality.
Frequency
In UK contexts, 'mohican' for the hairstyle is high frequency. In the US, 'mohican' is low frequency and might be seen as a British variant or a mistake; the ethnonym 'Mohican' is known primarily through literature (e.g., 'The Last of the Mohicans').
Grammar
How to Use “mohican” in a Sentence
to have a mohicanto get a mohicanto shave a mohicanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mohican” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- He turned heads with his fluorescent green mohican at the festival.
- The history of the Mohican people is complex and often misrepresented.
American English
- (For hairstyle, US uses 'mohawk') He shaved a mohican, inspired by British punk bands.
- James Fenimore Cooper's novel 'The Last of the Mohicans' is a classic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Very rare, potentially used metaphorically: 'a mohican strategy' (high-risk, standout).
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or cultural studies contexts.
Everyday
Primarily refers to the hairstyle in conversation about fashion or appearance.
Technical
Not typically used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mohican”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mohican”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mohican”
- Misspelling: 'mowhawk', 'mohecan'. Confusing 'Mohican' (people) with 'Mohegan' (a different Algonquian nation). Using 'Mohican' for the hairstyle in American English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, they refer to two distinct Indigenous peoples. For the hairstyle, 'mohican' is standard in British English, while 'mohawk' is standard in American English. The hairstyle is named after the Mohawk people, not the Mohican.
Some Indigenous advocates consider the use of tribal names for hairstyles to be cultural appropriation or trivialisation. Sensitivity is advised, and context matters. The terms are, however, widely established in popular culture.
Yes, but primarily in an attributive sense related to the people (e.g., 'Mohican territory', 'Mohican language'). It is rarely used as an adjective for the hairstyle ('mohican cut' is possible but 'mohican hairstyle' is more common).
The hairstyle entered UK popular culture via punk, which drew on various transatlantic influences. 'Mohican' likely became fixed due to its association with the title of the well-known novel 'The Last of the Mohicans', creating a familiar, if historically inaccurate, referent.
A member of an Algonquian-speaking Indigenous people originally from the upper Hudson River valley, now part of New York state.
Mohican is usually neutral to informal for hairstyle; formal for ethnonym. in register.
Mohican: in British English it is pronounced /məʊˈhiːkən/, and in American English it is pronounced /moʊˈhiːkən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MO-HI-CAN of hair standing up high on your head.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE HAIRSTYLE IS A BATTLE CREST; INDIVIDUALITY IS VISIBLE REBELLION.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used for the hairstyle in American English?