noun
Uncommon
hun
huhn
Hun (noun) means a member of the nomadic people who invaded Europe from Central Asia in the 4th and 5th centuries. Example: “The Huns, led by Attila, struck fear across the Roman Empire.”
noun
1
A member of the nomadic people who invaded Europe from Central Asia in the 4th and 5th centuries.
"The Huns, led by Attila, struck fear across the Roman Empire."
2
(dated, derogatory) A destructive, uncivilized person, or (historically, as wartime slang) a German.
"British propaganda posters during WWI referred to German soldiers as "Huns.""
How to use hun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHistorically, one of the Hunnic warriors from Central Asia; also an old, offensive nickname for a German or for a vandal.
When to use it
The "German" and "vandal" senses are dated and can be offensive — best avoided in modern use.
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Word forms
- Plural
- huns
Fill the gap
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The _____, led by Attila, struck fear across the Roman Empire.
Etymology
From the name of the historical Hunnic people; later used as wartime slang for Germans, and, more loosely, for anyone destructive.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for hun
See all rhymes for hun →Frequently asked questions
What does “hun” mean?
The word “hun” means a member of the nomadic people who invaded Europe from Central Asia in the 4th and 5th centuries. In plain terms, historically, one of the Hunnic warriors from Central Asia; also an old, offensive nickname for a German or for a vandal.
How do you pronounce “hun”?
“Hun” is pronounced huhn (/hʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “hun” in a sentence?
Here is “hun” used in a sentence: “The Huns, led by Attila, struck fear across the Roman Empire.”
What part of speech is “hun”?
“Hun” is a noun.
Where does the word “hun” come from?
The word “hun” comes from German. From the name of the historical Hunnic people; later used as wartime slang for Germans, and, more loosely, for anyone destructive.
Is “hun” a common word?
“Hun” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hun” have?
“Hun” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the nomadic people who invaded Europe from Central Asia in the 4th and 5th centuries.
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