gringo

[ gring-goh ]

/ ˈgrɪŋ goʊ /

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noun, plural grin·gos.Slang: Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.

a term used in Latin America or Spain to refer to a foreigner, especially one of U.S. or British descent (often used facetiously).

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Origin of gringo

First recorded in 1840–50; from Spanish: literally, “foreign language, foreigner, especially an English-speaking one who speaks Spanish poorly”; often pejorative; probably alteration of griego “Greek, incomprehensible language”; compare English “It's Greek to me,” first recorded in English in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (1599). The English and Spanish come from the Latin Graecum est; non legitur, “It's Greek; it isn't read” (either because the Greek was incomprehensible or because it was possibly heretical), supposedly dating from medieval monastic scriptoria. The belief that this word is from the song “Green Grow the Lilacs,” popular during the U.S.-Mexican War, is without substance. Cf. Greek

usage note for gringo

Use of this term implies that the foreigner is an outsider who does not understand or respect Hispanic culture or does not treat Hispanics well. However, gringo is often used consciously for humorous effect, without intent to offend.

Words nearby gringo

grind on, grind rock, grindstone, grind to a halt, gringa, gringo, grin like a Cheshire cat, griot, grip, gripe, gripe water

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gringo in a sentence

In addition to using body-worn cameras, they said, the male investigator leaned into his gringo persona and openly recorded with a camcorder — until English drove up and asked him to put it away.
A horse track with no rules|Gus Garcia-Roberts|August 5, 2022|Washington Post
In my opinion if “gringo” is used with a disparaging tone or in a negative context it’s not appropriate for the workplace, but it’s still definitely not discrimination or worthy of investigation.
What We Learned About Navigating Schooling and COVID|Megan Wood|January 16, 2022|Voice of San Diego
We also discussed a curious story out of Chula Vista where the mayor called a City Councilmember a “gringo” and it led to a $16,000 discrimination investigation.
VOSD Podcast: Another State of the City with No Live Audience|Scott Lewis|January 14, 2022|Voice of San Diego
Months later, an outside attorney for the city concluded that while “gringo” is an inappropriate term to use in the workplace, it didn’t rise to the level of being harassment or discrimination in this case.
Chula Vista’s Mayor Called Councilman ‘Gringo’ and a $16K Probe Concludes It Wasn’t Discrimination|Julia Woock|January 10, 2022|Voice of San Diego

While gringo-run restaurants with standard international menus full of imported ingredients rule many resort towns, they aren’t where most Ticos opt to eat.
Everything You Need to Know About Costa Rican Food|Nicholas Gill|November 11, 2020|Eater
The story of their visit quickly spread among the ‘Gringo Trail’ and McFadden lucked into a business as the unofficial tour guide.
Cocaine, Politicians and Wives: Inside the World’s Most Bizarre Prison|Jason Batansky|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After that, backpackers on the South American ‘Gringo Trail’ began touring and partying in San Pedro.
Cocaine, Politicians and Wives: Inside the World’s Most Bizarre Prison|Jason Batansky|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ladies generally prefer marrying a Gringo to a Paisanito.
Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests|J. J. von Tschudi
The man wavered a second, then laughed cunningly, "A crucifix means nothing to a Gringo, and fear makes liars of all men."
The Long Dim Trail|Forrestine C. Hooker
The Mexicans were convinced that a large force of Gringo Diablos were at hand, and they feared for their lives.
Life and adventures of Frank and Jesse James|J. A. Dacus
Allied troops had reached the Gringo, five miles north of Monte Lisser.
The Story of the Great War, Volume VIII (of VIII)|various
He had surprised his daughter and the Gringo holding hands and exchanging kisses in a grove near the house.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse|Vicente Blasco Ibanez

British Dictionary definitions for gringo

gringo

/ (ˈɡrɪŋɡəʊ) /

noun plural -gos

a person from an English-speaking country: used as a derogatory term by Latin Americans

Word Origin for gringo

C19: from Spanish: foreigner, probably from griego Greek, hence an alien

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 gringo

gringo

In Latin America, a foreigner, especially a North American or Englishman; usually a term of contempt.