noun
gringo
GRING-goh/ˈɡrɪŋɡəʊ/
A foreigner in Latin America, especially an American or English-speaking person.
The novel calls the American visitor a gringo.
Etymology
Spanish gringo described foreigners marked by their accent or imperfect Spanish, providing the basis for its use for Americans and other English speakers in Latin America. Its deeper origin is uncertain.
In context
He's not a Mexican. He's a gringo, an American who has come to Mexico to escape justice.
More examples
- She explained the local use of gringo.
- Several gringos appear in the account.
- He disliked being addressed as gringo.
Forms
gringo · gringos
Similar words
- foreigner
- The neutral broad term.
- American
- A nationality rather than every person described as gringo.