Define "American"

[KillerMuffin]

An American is an individual who has either personally immigrated to North or South America and has resided on one of those continents long enough to establish residency, or in more recent years, citizenship; or whose ancestors have immigrated and established residency or citizenship.

A more narrow definition of an American is an individual who has either immigrated to an area belonging to the United States of America and has resided long enough to establish residency or citizenship; or whose ancestors have immigrated and established residency or citizenship.

 

[Chuckus]

A person born in North, South or Central America.

Vulgar usage: a citizen of the United States; particularly one who will stand no criticism of said United States.

I could not agree with you more. I think an "American" is a huge melting pot that is so wide open it is hard to describe what an "American" is.