To me, an American is someone who values freedom and equality.
In my life here, I have met many, many people from all over the world who are Americans. Figuratively and literally. They are rich, poor, young, old and from every imaginable background.
But we all have one thing in common: we believe that the government derives its power from us ... the people, not the other way around. And that is, IMHO, the core of what really makes this country great. The idea, and the [somewhat imperfect] realization that literally anyone can achieve anything and reap the rewards.
I have also met a few people who, although technically able to claim to be "American", bear no resemblance.
YMMV
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