List of English words of Native American origin - Definition and Overview

This is a list of English language words of Native American language origin. † indicates a link to a definition of the word.

Words from Algonquian

• tomahawk † (tomah'hauk) sharp biting stick
• skunk † (shekãkwa) spray of smelly water
• squash † (askootaskwash) fruit of health/life
• wampum † (wapapyaki) trade good
• succotash † (msikwatash) food mixed together
• pecan † ("pakan" - "nut" via Mobilian Trade Jargon)
• Chicago (chee-kaw-goh) skunk cabbage
• moccasin † from an Algonquian language
• moose † from an Algonquian language
• raccoon † from an Algonquian language
• wigwam † from an Algonquian language

Words from Nahuatl

most of these are via Spanish.

• atlatl † (ahtlatl), spear thrower
• avocado † (ahuocatl)
• axolotl † (axolotl)
• cacao † and cocoa †(cacahuatl)
• chayote, a vegetable
• chili † (chilli)
• chocolate † (chocolatl) chocolate drink with chili
• coyote † (coyotl)
• guacamole † (ahuocamolli), "avocado sauce".
• mole † (molli), "sauce"
• ocelot † (ocelotl)
• peyote † (peyotl)
• tomato † (tomatl)

• Guatemala (Cuauhtemallan)
• Mexico (Mexihco), "navel of the moon" (alternative: "place of Mextli")
• Nicaragua (Nicatlnahuac), "here at the water"

and many place names in and south of Mexico

indirect

• tabasco sauce, originated in the Tabasco area
• tequila, originated in a town called Tequila, the name of which derives from Nahuatl tequillan ("place where wood is chopped")

Other languages

• abalone † from Rumsen via Spanish
• alpaca † from Aymara via Spanish
• baidarka † from Aleut via Russian
• barbecue † from Carib via Spanish
• cannibal † from Carib via Spanish
• canoe † from Carib via Spanish
• cheechako † from Chinook via Chinook Trade Jargon
• cocaine † from Quechua via Spanish
• hooch † from Tlingit
• hurricane † from Carib, via Spanish
• igloo † from Inuit