gook
Gook (noun) 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. Example: “The term was widely condemned as a racial slur used during wartime propaganda.”
How to use gook
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA deeply offensive ethnic slur historically tied to US wartime slang; also, separately, informal slang for grime or sludge.
Highly offensive as an ethnic slur — avoid entirely except in direct historical or linguistic discussion.
Word forms
gooked past tense, gooks plural, gooks plural, gooks plural, gooks plural, gooks singular
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.
Related words
Rhymes for gook
See all rhymes for 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.