# Yankee

/ˈjæŋki/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yankee
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

a person who comes from the United States, especially from the northern states. People outside the U.S. often use it to talk about any American, sometimes in a joking or slightly rude way.

For teachers: a person from the United States, particularly one from the northern or New England states. Depending on the speaker's location and intent, the term can range from a neutral regional identifier to a mildly derogatory label for Americans in general.

## Examples

- The locals called the new visitor a Yankee.
- During the international festival, the students joked about their friend being a typical Yankee because of his accent.

## Usage notes

- Often shortened to 'Yank' in informal British or Australian English.

---

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.