un-American

[ uhn-uh-mer-i-kuhn ]

adjective
  1. not American; not characteristic of or proper to the U.S.; foreign or opposed to the characters, values, standards, goals, etc., of the U.S.

Origin of un-American

1
An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Other words from un-American

  • un-A·mer·i·can·ism, noun

Words Nearby un-American

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use un-American in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for un-American

un-American

adjective
  1. not in accordance with the aims, ideals, customs, etc, of the US

  2. against the interests of the US

Derived forms of un-American

  • un-Americanism, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for un-American

un-American

A term used, primarily by extreme conservatives, to attack principles or practices considered to be at odds with the values of most Americans. Many object to the use of the term on the grounds that it is vague, shortsighted, and intolerant.

Notes for un-American

The House of Representatives maintained a Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) for several years. It was especially known for investigation of alleged communists. (See Alger Hiss.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.