noun
gringo
GRIHNG-goh
noun
1
A term, sometimes derogatory, used mainly in Latin America for a white foreigner, especially an American.
"The locals jokingly called the tourists gringos."
How to Use Gringo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Spanish-derived nickname for a foreigner, particularly an American, that can be neutral or mildly insulting depending on tone.
When to use it
Can carry a joking or an insulting edge depending on context — use with awareness of tone.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
gringos plural, gringoes plural
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Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish gringo, itself likely a twist on griego ("Greek") — historically used for anyone speaking an unintelligible foreign language, echoing the English phrase "it's all Greek to me."