Americanism (Noun)
Meaning 1
An expression that is characteristic of English as spoken by Americans.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The phrase "break a leg" is a classic Americanism that is often used to wish someone good luck before a performance.
- The linguist studied Americanisms such as "gas up" and "fill 'er up" to understand the nuances of American English.
- The British tourists were amused by the Americanism "fender bender" to describe a minor car accident.
- The teacher explained that the Americanism "take a rain check" meant to decline an invitation with the intention of accepting it at a later time.
- The author's use of Americanisms such as "elevator" instead of "lift" helped to create a sense of cultural authenticity in her novel set in New York City.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Loyalty to the United States and its institutions.
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- The politician's speech was filled with expressions of Americanism, emphasizing the importance of patriotism and national pride.
- Her family's history of military service was a testament to their strong sense of Americanism and commitment to defending their country.
- He believed that true Americanism was about respecting the constitution and the democratic process.
- The organization's mission was to promote Americanism through education and community service projects.
- For her, Americanism was not just about waving a flag, but about actively working to make the country a better place for all its citizens.
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
A custom that is peculiar to the United States or its citizens.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- Eating turkey on Thanksgiving Day is a classic Americanism that dates back to the early colonial era.
- Using the phrase "gasoline" instead of "petrol" is an Americanism that can be confusing for some international travelers.
- Saying "elevator" instead of "lift" is just one of many Americanisms that have become popular around the world.
- Some British authors try to avoid Americanisms in their writing to better appeal to a European audience.
- Speaking in loud tones is a noticeable Americanism that has led to criticism that Americans are a loud and boisterous people.