Tico

[ tee-koh; Spanish tee-kaw ]

noun

, plural Ti·cos [tee, -kohz, tee, -kaws].

1. a native or inhabitant of Costa Rica.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Costa Rica or its inhabitants:

   an exhibition of Tico art.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tico¹

First recorded in 1905–10; from Latin American Spanish tico, said to be from Costa Ricans’ predilection for diminutives formed with the suffix -itico

Example Sentences

Tran’s Rose Tico was the first leading role for a woman of color.

From Los Angeles Times

“I say, ‘Tico, it’s not good.’

From New York Times

Lewis, whose wry lyrics and rumbling vocals powered Reagan-era pop hits like “I Want a New Drug” and “If This Is It,” turned to people like Tico Torres, the longtime Bon Jovi drummer, whom he’d gotten to know on golfing trips.

From New York Times

One of the first examples I can remember was the case of Kelly Marie Tran, who was cast as Rose Tico in the 2017 Star Wars movie.

From Seattle Times

“Two years ago,” said Marcelino Zamudio, one of two chefs and five owners, including bartender Hector Flora, an alumnus of the late Tico in Washington.

From Washington Post