Tico

American  

[tee-koh, tee-kaw] / ˈti koʊ, ˈti kɔ /

noun

plural

Ticos

1. a native or inhabitant of Costa Rica.

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adjective

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

   an exhibition of Tico art.

Etymology

Origin of Tico

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

Palmieri briefly recorded music with the label but also released music under Tico, Alegre, Concord Picante, RMM and Coco Records.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025

One of the first examples I can remember was the case of Kelly Marie Tran, who was cast as Rose Tico in the 2017 Star Wars movie.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2024

“Two years ago,” said Marcelino Zamudio, one of two chefs and five owners, including bartender Hector Flora, an alumnus of the late Tico in Washington.

From Washington Post • Mar. 24, 2023

The series also stars Fred Armisen as Tico, Renaldo's supportive uncle who happily works for a valet parking company.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2022

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

From Never-Fail Blake by Stringer, Arthur