Karen
Karen (noun) means a slang term, often used mockingly, for an entitled woman — typically a middle-aged white woman — who makes unreasonable demands or complains disproportionately, often targeting people with less social power than her. Example: “The video showed a Karen demanding to see the manager over a minor pricing mistake.”
How to Use Karen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInternet slang for a woman seen as unreasonably demanding or quick to complain, especially to authority figures.
Don't confuse this slang sense with the ordinary given name Karen, or with the unrelated Karen ethnic group of Myanmar and Thailand.
Very informal and often considered pejorative or mocking; avoid in formal writing.
Word Forms
Karens plural, Karens plural, Karen plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The video showed a _____ demanding to see the manager over a minor pricing mistake.
Etymology
As a slang term, popularized in the 2010s from the given name Karen, which was especially common among women born in the mid-20th century; the mocking usage spread widely through African-American Vernacular English and internet culture.
Rhymes for Karen
See all rhymes for Karen →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Karen” mean?
The word “Karen” means a slang term, often used mockingly, for an entitled woman — typically a middle-aged white woman — who makes unreasonable demands or complains disproportionately, often targeting people with less social power than her. In plain terms, internet slang for a woman seen as unreasonably demanding or quick to complain, especially to authority figures.
How do you pronounce “Karen”?
“Karen” is pronounced KA-ruhn (/ˈkæɹən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Karen” in a sentence?
Here is “Karen” used in a sentence: “The video showed a Karen demanding to see the manager over a minor pricing mistake.”
What part of speech is “Karen”?
“Karen” is a noun.
Where does the word “Karen” come from?
The word “Karen” dates back to around 2010.
Is “Karen” a common word?
“Karen” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Karen” have?
“Karen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a slang term, often used mockingly, for an entitled woman — typically a middle-aged white woman — who makes unreasonable demands or complains disproportionately, often targeting people with less social power than her.
Is calling someone a Karen offensive?
Yes — as slang, Karen is a mocking, insulting label rather than a neutral description. It is typically aimed at a woman seen as entitled, making unreasonable demands or complaining out of proportion, and directing it at someone is likely to be taken as an insult. It is also worth remembering that Karen remains an ordinary given name and the name of an ethnic group.
What kind of behavior gets someone called a Karen?
The slang label is applied to someone — stereotypically a middle-aged white woman — who makes unreasonable demands, complains disproportionately, or targets people with less social power, such as service staff. Demanding to 'speak to the manager' over a trivial issue is the classic example in popular use.
Who are the Karen people?
The Karen are an ethnic group from Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand, and Karen also refers to their language. This use is completely unrelated to the slang term and long predates it. In careful writing, context should make clear which sense is meant.
Is Karen capitalized when used as slang?
Usually, yes. Because the slang use comes from the given name, it is generally written with a capital K: 'she was acting like a Karen'. Some informal writing lowercases it, but dictionaries that cover the term generally show it capitalized.