gypsy
JIHP-see
Gypsy (noun) means a member of the Romani people, a traditionally travelling ethnic group. Example: “The festival featured traditional Romani, or gypsy, music and dance.”
noun
1
A member of the Romani people, a traditionally travelling ethnic group.
"The festival featured traditional Romani, or gypsy, music and dance."
adj
1
Relating to a free-spirited, wandering lifestyle, used loosely and figuratively.
"She described her twenties as a gypsy period of moving from city to city."
How to use gypsy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTraditionally referring to the Romani people; also used loosely (and often considered insensitive) to describe a wandering lifestyle.
When to use it
Many consider this term offensive when applied to the Romani people; "Roma" or "Romani" is the preferred and respectful term.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- gypsies
- Past tense
- gypsied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The festival featured traditional Romani, or _____, music and dance.
Etymology
See Gypsy. Compare bohemian, from Bohemia.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “gypsy” mean?
The word “gypsy” means a member of the Romani people, a traditionally travelling ethnic group. In plain terms, traditionally referring to the Romani people; also used loosely (and often considered insensitive) to describe a wandering lifestyle.
How do you pronounce “gypsy”?
“Gypsy” is pronounced JIHP-see (/ˈd͡ʒɪp.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “gypsy” in a sentence?
Here is “gypsy” used in a sentence: “The festival featured traditional Romani, or gypsy, music and dance.”
What part of speech is “gypsy”?
Depending on how it is used, “gypsy” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “gypsy” a common word?
“Gypsy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “gypsy” have?
“Gypsy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the Romani people, a traditionally travelling ethnic group.
Is the word gypsy considered offensive?
The word gypsy can be considered offensive or outdated by many Romani people, since it originated as an outsider's label rather than a name the group chose for itself. "Roma" or "Romani" are generally preferred, more respectful terms when referring to the ethnic group.
What is the difference between gypsy and Roma?
Gypsy is a traditional, often informal or outdated term for the Romani people, a traditionally travelling ethnic group, while Roma (or Romani) is the name the group uses for itself and is considered the more accurate and respectful term. Many style guides now recommend Roma or Romani over gypsy.
What does gypsy mean when used as an adjective?
Used as an adjective, gypsy describes a free-spirited, wandering lifestyle in a loose, figurative sense, such as a "gypsy life" full of travel and few fixed commitments. This figurative use is separate from, and should not be confused with, the word's reference to the Romani ethnic group.
