Tico

American  

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

noun

PLURAL

Ticos

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.

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

By the late ’90s, the company had gobbled up the assets of most of its competitors — classic labels like Tico, Alegre and Inca.

From Los Angeles Times

Tran’s Rose Tico was the first leading role for a woman of color.

From Los Angeles Times

“I say, ‘Tico, it’s not good.’

From New York Times

Lewis, whose wry lyrics and rumbling vocals powered Reagan-era pop hits like “I Want a New Drug” and “If This Is It,” turned to people like Tico Torres, the longtime Bon Jovi drummer, whom he’d gotten to know on golfing trips.

From New York Times