Chicano

noun

Chi·​ca·​no chi-ˈkä-(ˌ)nō 

 also  shi-

plural Chicanos

: an American and especially a man or boy of Mexican descent

Chicano adjective

Examples of Chicano in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The park is a product of people power, home to the world’s largest collection of Chicano murals. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025

Chavarria is a Mexican-American designer, who has risen to fame for his designs exploring Chicano, or Mexican-American, culture, often mixing Mexican themes with American products. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025

Also that afternoon, Cheech Marin (of Cheech & Chong) on Chicano art (and his California museum of art); and a conversation about Teen Angels magazine, the beloved (now defunct) zine often credited with spreading the culture of lowriders, tattoos and Latino aesthetics. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025

Ontiveros began collecting donations for striking farmworkers and joined the Royal Chicano Air Force artist organization. —Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, alteration of Spanish mexicano Mexican

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Chicano

• hispano
• serrano
• solano
• soprano
• americano
• castellano
• cebuano
• mexicano
• llano
• mano

Kids Definition

Chicano

noun

Chi·​ca·​no chi-ˈkän-ō 

shi-

: an American and especially a man or boy of Mexican ancestry

Chicano adjective

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, an altered form of mexicano "Mexican"