gringo

American  

[gring-goh] / ˈgrɪŋ goʊ /

noun

Slang: Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.

plural

gringos

1. 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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gringo British  

/ ˈɡrɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

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

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gringo Cultural  

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

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Sensitive Note

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.

Etymology

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. Greek

Example Sentences

When Maduro learned that a gringo was engaging with his energy minister, he called Sargeant into the Miraflores presidential palace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

“I want to remind the gringo: I didn’t cross the border, the border crossed me,” the lyrics rang out.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2025

An old-school nationalist, he saw the D.E.A. as a symbol of gringo arrogance.

From New York Times • Dec. 8, 2022

A stuntman, Roy N. Sickner, imagined a story about gringo outlaws robbing a train in the United States and escaping to Mexico, its climax a massive shootout.

From Washington Times • Feb. 13, 2019

He was struggling with a big fair-haired gringo.

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty