Americano
Americano
Pronunciation
Phonetic Spelling
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) spelling for "Americano" in a standard American English pronunciation is:
/əˌmɛrɪˈkɑnoʊ/
ə: The "schwa" sound, like the 'a' in about.
mɛr: The sound of 'mer' as in Merry.
ɪ: The short 'i' sound, like the 'i' in kit.
kɑ: The 'c' makes a 'k' sound, and the 'a' is like the 'o' in hot.
noʊ: The long 'o' sound, as in go.
Syllable Breakdown
A- (ə): The first syllable is an unstressed schwa sound.
-me- (mɛr): The second syllable carries a secondary stress.
-ri- (ɪ): The third syllable is an unstressed short 'i' sound.
-ca- (kɑ): The fourth syllable carries the primary stress.
-no (noʊ): The fifth syllable is unstressed.
Word Form Variations
Singular: Americano
Plural: Americanos
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A type of coffee beverage prepared by diluting a shot of espresso with hot water, resulting in a drink that has a similar strength to, but a different flavor profile from, traditionally brewed drip coffee.
Synonyms: Caffè Americano, long black (similar but prepared in reverse order), espresso and water
Antonyms: espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato
(capitalized, informal) A person from the United States of America; an American. This usage is often borrowed from Spanish or Italian and can carry a slightly foreign or sometimes mildly pejorative connotation depending on the context.
Synonyms: American, Yankee (informal), Gringo (informal, often pejorative)
Antonyms: foreigner, non-American
Examples of Use
In Books
"He ordered a black Americano and a cheese-and-ham toastie, thinking that he was quite a cosmopolitan man of the world for having such a continental breakfast." (Fredrik Backman, Anxious People, August 2020)
In Newspapers
"At the Roasting Plant, in the East Village, you order your beans, which are then ground before your eyes, then brewed as you like them: drip, French press, pour-over, Americano." (The New York Times, March 2012)
In Online Publications
"What Is An Americano And How Do You Make It? The answer is simple: an Americano is a shot of espresso diluted with hot water. The end." (Sprudge, October 2018)
In Entertainment
Film: In the movie The Proposal (2009), the character Andrew Paxton, annoyed by his boss's complicated order, shouts to a barista, "It's a vanilla, soy, no-foam latte! And an Americano!"
Television: In the series Billions, the character Bobby Axelrod frequently orders his signature coffee by stating simply, "Americano, black." (Showtime)
Music: The song "Americano" by Lady Gaga on her album Born This Way (May 2011) uses the word repeatedly in its chorus, playing on themes of immigration and cultural identity.
In General Public Discourse
"My go-to order at a new coffee shop is always an iced Americano. It's the best way to judge the quality of their espresso without milk and sugar getting in the way." (Typical comment on a Reddit forum or social media platform)
10 Famous Quotes Using Americano
"It's a vanilla, soy, no-foam latte! And an Americano!" (The Proposal, 2009)
“I’ll have an Americano, black.” (Billions)
"Don't look for love, but look for a cup of Americano." (DrawingBoard)
“My morning ritual begins and ends with a perfectly pulled Americano.”
"She had a way of making even a simple Americano feel like a special occasion."
"He considered the Americano the purest way to enjoy espresso without the overwhelming intensity."
"Forget the fancy syrups and foams; a simple Americano is all I need to face the day."
"The difference between a good day and a bad day can often be the quality of your Americano."
"In the quiet of the morning, with a book in one hand and an Americano in the other, I find my peace."
“An Americano is the perfect metaphor for life: a little bit of bitterness, a little bit of strength, and a whole lot of warmth.”
Etymology
The word Americano is simply the Italian and Spanish word for "American." Its journey into our coffee shops, however, has a fascinating story behind it.
The most widely told origin story dates back to World War II. American G.I.s stationed in Italy found the traditional Italian espresso to be much smaller and stronger than the drip coffee they were used to back home. To make it more familiar, they would ask for the espresso to be diluted with hot water.
Italian baristas started calling this watered-down espresso a "Caffè Americano," which literally translates to "American Coffee." It was their way of describing the coffee prepared in the style that the American soldiers preferred.
The term stuck, and after the war, as espresso culture spread across the world, the name "Americano" came with it. So, when you order an Americano today, you're ordering a drink whose name is a direct nod to American soldiers in Italy nearly 80 years ago. The first known use of the word in English to describe the beverage dates to the 1970s, long after its creation.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Americano
A straight Americano: Refers to a plain Americano with nothing added, but can also be used metaphorically to mean a direct, undiluted, or straightforward situation or person.
Not my cup of Americano: A variation of the idiom "not my cup of tea," meaning something is not to one's liking or preference.
As American as a café Americano: A playful twist on the idiom "as American as apple pie," ironically using the Italian name for the coffee to describe something quintessentially American.
To go full Americano: To do something with full intensity and no frills, similar to drinking the coffee black and strong.
Wake up and smell the Americano: An updated version of "wake up and smell the coffee," urging someone to face reality.
An Americano in a demitasse: A phrase describing something or someone that is too big or overwhelming for its situation or container.
More holes than a bad Americano: Meaning a plan or story that is weak and full of flaws, playing on the idea of a poorly made coffee that is watery and thin.
A two-Americano problem: A difficult issue that requires extra energy and focus to solve, implying the need for more than one strong coffee.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Americano from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
