Ugly American

noun

: an American in a foreign country whose behavior is offensive to the people of that country

Word History

Etymology

The Ugly American (1958), collection of stories by Eugene Burdick and William J. Lederer American authors

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Ugly American was in 1965

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ugly

Ugly American

ugly duckling

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Style

“Ugly American.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ugly%20American. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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Ugly American

noun

Word History

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