American Indian

English

Etymology

American + Indian. The noun is attested since 1702, the adjective since shortly thereafter.

Pronunciation

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Noun

American Indian (plural American Indians)

1. A member of some indigenous peoples of the Americas, especially the continental United States, but excluding the Inuit, Yupik, and Aleuts.
2. (Canada) An indigenous person from the United States.

Usage notes

• The term American Indian is generally accepted and sometimes replaced by Native American. However, it may cause offense if intended to include Canadian First Nations people.
• This term can sometimes be confused with 'Indian-American' (i.e. an immigrant or descendant of an immigrant from India).
• According to the National Museum of the American Indian, American Indian, Indian, Native American, Indigenous, or Native are commonly acceptable terms. However, Native people often prefer to be called by their specific tribal name.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:Native American

Related terms

• Amerind
• Amerindian
• Indian
• Injun
• Native American
• North American Indian

 

Translations

a member of some indigenous peoples of the Americas — see Indian,‎ Native American

Adjective

American Indian (comparative more American Indian, superlative most American Indian)

1. Relating to the indigenous peoples of the Americas or their languages.

See also

• Euro-American
• Indian-American (U.S. citizens of South Asian extraction from India)