gook
8 synonyms for gook, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An offensive, derogatory slur for people of East or Southeast Asian descent, especially originating in US military use during 20th-century conflicts in Asia.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
First recorded in the 1890s as US military slang applied to Filipinos, later extended during conflicts in Nicaragua, Haiti, Korea, and Vietnam to refer to local populations.
Full origin of gook →Frequently asked questions
What does “gook” mean?
The word “gook” means an offensive, derogatory slur for people of East or Southeast Asian descent, especially originating in US military use during 20th-century conflicts in Asia. In plain terms, a deeply offensive ethnic slur historically tied to US wartime slang; also, separately, informal slang for grime or sludge.
How do you pronounce “gook”?
“Gook” is pronounced gook (/ɡuːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “gook” in a sentence?
Here is “gook” used in a sentence: “There was a layer of gook stuck to the bottom of the pan.”
What part of speech is “gook”?
“Gook” is a noun.
Where does the word “gook” come from?
The word “gook” dates back to around 1890. First recorded in the 1890s as US military slang applied to Filipinos, later extended during conflicts in Nicaragua, Haiti, Korea, and Vietnam to refer to local populations.
How many meanings does “gook” have?
“Gook” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an offensive, derogatory slur for people of East or Southeast Asian descent, especially originating in US military use during 20th-century conflicts in Asia.
