Westerner

American  

[wes-ter-ner] / ˈwɛs tər nər /

noun

(sometimes lowercase)

1. a native or inhabitant of the West, especially of the western U.S.

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westerner British  

/ ˈwɛstənə /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) a native or inhabitant of the west of any specific region, esp of the western states of the US or of the western hemisphere

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Other Word Forms

• anti-Westerner noun
• pro-Westerner noun

Etymology

Origin of Westerner

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; western + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Here is the quintessential Westerner about to transform himself from Honest Abe the rail-splitter into Father Abraham, the avuncular statesman capable of handling the looming crisis over disunion and slavery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Harila rejected claims made by Austrian climber Wilhelm Steindl that more would have been done if a Westerner had been hurt on the mountain.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 13, 2023

As John E. Echohawk, executive director of the Native American Rights Fund, told the New York Times’ Adam Liptak: “He’s the only Westerner on the court. He knows these issues. He knows these tribes.”

From Slate • Jun. 15, 2023

"I'm not a Westerner, I'm a Chinese traditionalist," he says with a laugh.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2021

“Because, Been-tone, these heartbroken people are finally listening. It is you, because you are here beside me, because you are a Westerner, because you give them a reason to hope.”

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley