Tar Heel

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Synonym of North Carolinian.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

I'm a Tar Heel born I'm a Tar Heel bred And when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A person associated with or supportive of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “Tar Heel” mean?

Synonym of North Carolinian.

Is “Tar Heel” formal or informal?

Tar Heel is generally slang.