The spelling of the word "Canadian" is fairly straightforward. It begins with the consonant sound /k/, followed by the vowel sound /æ/ as in "cat." The next two letters are consonant sounds, /n/ followed by /ə/ as in the second syllable of "butter." The word ends with the consonant sound /d/ and the vowel sound /i/ as in "bee." Overall, the word is pronounced as /kəˈneɪdiən/ with stress on the second syllable.
Canadian refers to something or someone related to Canada, which is the second-largest country in the world geographically and located in North America. As an adjective, Canadian describes elements that pertain to Canadian culture, people, language, or heritage. Pertaining to its origins, Canadian typically refers to individuals who were born in Canada or hold Canadian citizenship. However, it can also include people of Canadian descent or those who have immigrated to Canada and adopted Canadian culture.
As a noun, Canadian refers to an inhabitant or citizen of Canada, regardless of one's ethnic background. Notably, Canada is known for its multiculturalism and diversity, making the Canadian population varied and inclusive. Canadians are generally recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature, as well as their reputation for politeness.
Additionally, as a noun, Canadian can also refer to the country's official languages: English and French. Canada has two official languages due to its historical ties to both English and French colonialism. The terms "English Canadian" and "French Canadian" are sometimes used to distinguish the linguistic and cultural differences between these two groups.
Furthermore, Canadian can also denote Canadian currency, such as the Canadian dollar (CAD), which is the official currency of Canada. The Canadian dollar is widely used in all provinces and territories as a medium of exchange in economic transactions. It is denoted with the symbol "$" or "C$" and subdivided into cents.
• Of or from Canada.
• A native or inhabitant of.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Canadian" is derived from the French word "canadien", which was originally used to describe the Indigenous peoples of Canada. The term was first recorded in English in the late 16th century and referred specifically to the Huron people. It is believed to have been adapted from the Huron-Iroquoian word "kanata" or "kanatah" meaning "village" or "settlement". French explorers and colonists later used the term to describe all Indigenous peoples encountered in North America. Over time, the term "Canadian" expanded to include both the Indigenous peoples and the European settlers who later arrived in Canada, eventually becoming the widely recognized term for citizens of Canada.