kamikaze

What is another word for kamikaze? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — A suicide attack, or the person who carries one out, especially by deliberately crashing an aircraft into a target.

We haven't recorded synonyms for kamikaze yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use kamikaze

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

kamikaze pilot kamikaze attack kamikaze move

The historical military sense is neutral/factual; the "reckless person" sense is informal and can sound flippant given the word’s origin, so use it with some care.

Etymology

From Japanese kamikaze, literally "divine wind" — originally the name for the typhoon that wrecked a Mongol invasion fleet off Japan in 1281, later applied to WWII suicide pilots who saw themselves in the same protective role.

Full origin of kamikaze →

Frequently asked questions

What does “kamikaze” mean?

The word “kamikaze” means a suicide attack, or the person who carries one out, especially by deliberately crashing an aircraft into a target. In plain terms, a deliberate, often fatal, act of extreme recklessness — from its historical military sense to its everyday use for anyone taking crazy risks.

How do you pronounce “kamikaze”?

“Kamikaze” is pronounced kah-mih-KAH-zee (/ˌkɑ.mɪˈkɑ.zi/ in IPA).

How do you use “kamikaze” in a sentence?

Here is “kamikaze” used in a sentence: “The museum has a wing devoted to the history of kamikaze pilots in World War II.”

What part of speech is “kamikaze”?

Depending on how it is used, “kamikaze” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “kamikaze” come from?

The word “kamikaze” dates back to around 1281 and comes from Japanese.

How many meanings does “kamikaze” have?

“Kamikaze” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a suicide attack, or the person who carries one out, especially by deliberately crashing an aircraft into a target.

Related words

hara-kiri hero juramentado martyr seppuku shaheed suicide suicide bomber

Nearby words

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