Tico

[ tee-koh; Spanish tee-kaw ]

noun

, plural Ti·cos [tee, -kohz, tee, -kaws].

1. a native or inhabitant of Costa Rica.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Costa Rica or its inhabitants:

   an exhibition of Tico art.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tico¹

First recorded in 1905–10; from Latin American Spanish tico, said to be from Costa Ricans’ predilection for diminutives formed with the suffix -itico

Example Sentences

She has written for The New York Sun, GothamSchools, the Tico Times, and Fodor's Travel Guides.

From The Daily Beast

She has written for the New York Sun, GothamSchools, the Tico Times, and Fodor's Travel Guides.

From The Daily Beast

Liz Goodwin has written for the New York Sun, GothamSchools, the Tico Times, and Fodor's Travel Guides.

From The Daily Beast

For so much gold, Tico Viquez intimated, he would lead the señor to the hut in question.

From Project Gutenberg

At the sound of the name Tico, the dog gave forth a low woof, then stood staring intently into her eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Guided by the dog Tico, they had found themselves following a northerly course over a flat and trackless tundra.

From Project Gutenberg

A moment more and Gordon Duncan, with Tico hitched to an improvised sled, stood beside them.

From Project Gutenberg

Johnny was feeling a little ashamed of his record when his eyes fell upon the wolf that had attacked Tico.

From Project Gutenberg