Americano: Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage

Meaning 1：Americano (Americano)

Americano 🔊

/əˌmɛrɪˈkɑːnoʊ/

A coffee drink made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso, making it similar to black coffee but with a different taste.

Americano 🔊

➕

/əˌmɛrɪˈkɑːnoʊ/

A coffee beverage prepared by diluting a shot of espresso with hot water, resulting in a flavor similar to black coffee but less intense.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'America' + Spanish suffix '-ano', meaning 'of America'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'American' + 'coffee' = Americano, a coffee style favored by Americans.

📖 Example

After lunch, he likes to order an Americano to help him stay focused for the afternoon work. 🔊 After lunch, he likes to order an Americano to help him stay focused for the afternoon work.

🔗 Collocations

Americano coffee – A type of coffee drink made with espresso and hot water

black Americano – An Americano served without milk or sugar

iced Americano – A cold version of Americano served with ice

🔄 Synonyms

caffè Americano (n.) – The original Italian name for an Americano

espresso with hot water (phrase) – A descriptive term that precisely defines the drink's preparation

diluted espresso (phrase) – Refers to the core process of adding water to espresso

🚫 Antonyms

espresso (n.) – A concentrated coffee shot, opposite in strength and volume

latte (n.) – A milk-based coffee drink, contrasting with the water-based Americano

cappuccino (n.) – A coffee drink with foamed milk, differing in texture and ingredients

🌱 Derivatives

American (adj.) – Relating to the United States, from which the drink's name originates

America (n.) – The continent or country associated with the drink's naming

caffè Americano (n.) – The full Italian name for the same beverage

📖 Cultural Story

Originated during WWII when American soldiers diluted espresso with water in Italy. Italians called it 'caffè Americano', meaning 'American coffee'.