# Canadian

/kəˈneɪdiən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/canadian
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a person

noun · CEFR A1

a person who was born in Canada or who lives there now.

For teachers: a native or inhabitant of Canada; a citizen of the country.

- My new neighbour is a Canadian who moved here from Toronto last year.
- The delegation included several prominent Canadians who had spent decades working in international diplomacy and environmental law.

### 2. relating to Canada

adjective · CEFR A1

coming from or belonging to Canada.

For teachers: of, belonging to, or relating to Canada, its culture, or its people.

- We enjoyed some delicious Canadian maple syrup with our breakfast.
- The researcher focused on Canadian history, specifically the development of trade routes across the northern territories during the nineteenth century.

### 3. a type of boat

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

a short name for a Canadian canoe, which is an open boat you move with a paddle.

For teachers: an open canoe, typically propelled with a single-bladed paddle, as distinguished from a kayak.

- We spent the afternoon on the lake in a small Canadian.
- The club provides both kayaks and Canadians for members to use during the summer regatta.

### 4. language variety

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

the way people speak English or French in Canada.

For teachers: the English or French language as used specifically within Canada, characterized by distinct phonology and vocabulary.

- He speaks Canadian, so he uses words like 'tuque' and 'loonie'.
- Linguists often study Canadian to understand how North American dialects diverged from their British and French roots over time.

## Examples

- My new neighbor is a friendly Canadian.
- The local university hosts a special dinner every year for every visiting Canadian on campus.
- While the group included travelers from across North America, the lead guide was a proud Canadian who shared stories about life in the northern territories.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.