American English

noun

: the English language as spoken in the U.S.
used especially with the implication that it is clearly distinguishable from British English yet not so divergent as to be a separate language

Examples of American English in a Sentence

There are many differences between British English and American English.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two words were nearly interchangeable in Britain between the 1960s and 1980s, and once American fandom grew and the word became more closely associated with American English, British usage declined through the 1980s and 1990s. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Those books introduced me to a vision of American teenage life and taught me the rhythms and idioms of American English, nuances that would later replace my Britishisms and shape my career as a journalist. Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026 The song is what Celentano thought American English sounded like and was inspired by the Tower of Babel story from the Bible. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of American English was in 1806

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Cite this Entry

“American English.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American%20English. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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