Ilocano

or I·lo·ka·no

[ ee-loh-kah-noh ]

noun

, plural I·lo·ca·nos, (especially collectively) I·lo·ca·no.

1. a member of a people of Luzon in the Philippines.
2. the Austronesian language of the Ilocano.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ilocano¹

1830–40; < Spanish, equivalent to Ilok ( o ) the Ilocano name for themselves + -ano -an

Example Sentences

Talania is not fluent in English or Tagalog, but speaks Ilocano, the third-most spoken language in the Philipinnes.

From Los Angeles Times

During his visa interviews with embassy officials, Talania was not provided an Ilocano interpreter.

From Los Angeles Times

At his embassy interview, Talania was provided an interpreter who spoke Tagalog, not Ilocano, Alice Yu said, which wasn’t ideal for making his case.

From Los Angeles Times

Winfred Damo, who immigrated to Honolulu from Marcos’ province of Ilocos Norte in 1999, said being Ilocano means “we always support the Marcoses.”

From Seattle Times

“No, anak ko!” she shrieked, using an Ilocano term meaning “my child.”

From Seattle Times