Canadian English

proper noun

The variety of the English language used in Canada.

Meanings

proper noun
  1. The variety of the English language used in Canada.First known use 1857
    1 more example

    [p 49] Not so, however, is it with the modern refinements of our Canadian English. In referring to such a feat here, it would be said, not that he dived, but that he dove. [p 52] These and a thousand other examples which might be produced, fully justify the use of the term “Canadian English,” as expressive of a corrupt dialect growing up amongst our population, and gradually finding access to our periodical literature, until it threatens to produce a language as unlike our noble mother tongue as the negro patua, or the Chinese pidgeon English.

    1857, Rev. A.C. Geikie, “Canadian English”, in Canadian Journal, v 2, n 11 (September), pp 344–55, reprinted in Elaine Gold and Janice McAlpine eds. (2010), Canadian English: A Linguistic Reader, Strathy Language Unit Occasional Paper n 6, Kingston: Queen’s University

    Synonyms: CanE, Canuck, CE, en-Can

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounThe variety of the English language used in Canada.

Also see

Translations

Polish dialekt kanadyjski języka angielskiego
  • dialekt kanadyjski języka angielskiegoEnglish language as used in Canada
Cite this entry
APA

Canadian English. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Canadian%20English

MLA

“Canadian English.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Canadian%20English. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Canadian English,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Canadian%20English.

Source: Canadian English on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.