Jew
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for Jew, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who is Jewish by religion, ethnicity, or descent.
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
From Latin and Greek forms of the Hebrew name Yehuda ("Judah"), originally referring to people of the tribe and later kingdom of Judah.
Full origin of Jew →Frequently asked questions
What does “Jew” mean?
The word “Jew” means a person who is Jewish by religion, ethnicity, or descent. In plain terms, a member of the Jewish people or faith.
How do you pronounce “Jew”?
“Jew” is pronounced joo (/d͡ʒuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “Jew” in a sentence?
Here is “Jew” used in a sentence: “Her grandparents were Jews who emigrated from Poland in the 1930s.”
What part of speech is “Jew”?
“Jew” is a noun.
Where does the word “Jew” come from?
The word “Jew” comes from Latin. From Latin and Greek forms of the Hebrew name Yehuda ("Judah"), originally referring to people of the tribe and later kingdom of Judah.
Is “Jew” a common word?
“Jew” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between 'Jew' and 'Jewish'?
"Jew" is a noun naming a person who is Jewish by religion, ethnicity, or descent, while "Jewish" is the corresponding adjective, used in phrases like "Jewish history" or "a Jewish family." In careful usage, many people prefer "Jewish person" over the bare noun when an adjective would fit.
Is it more polite to say 'Jewish person' than 'Jew'?
Both are correct, since "Jew" is the standard neutral noun and "Jewish person" simply uses the adjective form. Many speakers and style guides favor "Jewish person" in careful or formal contexts, while "Jew" remains accurate and respectful when used plainly as a noun.
Can a person be a Jew by ethnicity without practicing the religion?
Yes; the word Jew covers religion, ethnicity, and descent, so a person can identify as a Jew through Jewish heritage and ancestry even if they do not practice Judaism. This is why Jewish identity is often described as both a religious and a cultural one.
Is 'Jew' always capitalized?
Yes; as the name of a people, Jew takes a capital "J," in line with other names of religious and ethnic groups. A lowercase spelling is not standard for this meaning.