What does "americanism" mean?
A custom peculiar to the United States or the Americans.
Americanism
/əˈmɛɹɪkənɪzm/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A custom peculiar to the United States or the Americans.
- Grammar: americanism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: american english term, american expression, american value, americanization movement.
- Useful contrasts: Briticism, anti Americanism, britishism.
- Usage evidence: Mrs. Morton was well known for her Americanisms, her swagger dinner parties, and beautiful Paris gowns.
How to use "americanism"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "americanism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "americanism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "americanism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "american english term" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A custom peculiar to the United States or the Americans. countable, uncountable
- 2 a custom that is peculiar to the United States or its citizens wordnet
- 3 A word, phrase or linguistic feature originating from or specific to American English usage. countable, uncountable
"Mrs. Morton was well known for her Americanisms, her swagger dinner parties, and beautiful Paris gowns."
- 4 loyalty to the United States and its institutions wordnet
- 5 A preference for the United States and the ideas it represents. countable, uncountable
""The most important difference between our plan and that of our opponent is that our plan will put America first," Trump said. "Americanism, not globalism, will be our credo.""
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 an expression that is characteristic of English as spoken by Americans wordnet
- 7 A putative current of Catholicism in the United States identified and condemned as heretical by Rome in the late 19th century, chiefly characterized by support for secularism and American institutions above Catholic doctrine. countable, uncountable
"Moreover, the enthusiasm with which Hecker’s ideas had been received among Catholic liberals in France served to increase Leo XIII’s suspicion that Americanism was yet another attempt, not so very different from the Gallicanisms of the past, to assert the independence of a national church from Rome."
Synonyms
All synonyms american english termamerican expressionamerican valueamericanization movementanglicismassimilation policy
Antonyms
Example
"Mrs. Morton was well known for her Americanisms, her swagger dinner parties, and beautiful Paris gowns."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "americanism"?
Common synonyms include: american english term, american expression, american value, americanization movement, anglicism, assimilation policy.
How do you use "americanism" in a sentence?
Mrs. Morton was well known for her Americanisms, her swagger dinner parties, and beautiful Paris gowns.
How do you pronounce "americanism"?
Pronounced /əˈmɛɹɪkənɪzm/.
Etymology
From American + -ism.