noun Common

Nazi

NAHT-see

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Nazi (noun) means a member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, which ruled Germany under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945. Example: “The museum documents how the Nazis rose to power.”

noun

A member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, which ruled Germany under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945.

"The museum documents how the Nazis rose to power."

A person who supports Nazi or neo-Nazi ideology today.

"The rally was organized to counter a march by neo-Nazis."

Informal and often hyperbolic: someone seen as excessively controlling, rigid, or oppressive about a particular thing.

"His coworkers jokingly called him a "grammar nazi.""

adj

Relating to the Nazi Party or Nazi Germany.

"Historians continue to study Nazi propaganda techniques."

How to use Nazi

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRefers to the WWII-era German fascist party and its ideology, or informally (and often controversially) to someone acting like a petty tyrant about rules.

When to use it

The historical/political sense is a serious, weighty term; the joking "grammar nazi" usage is casual slang some people consider disrespectful given the history.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Nazis
Comparative: more Nazi
Superlative: most Nazi

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The museum documents how the _____ rose to power.

Etymology

A German clipping of Nationalsozialist ("National Socialist"), first used around 1930; the coincidental resemblance to "Nazi" as an old nickname for the name Ignaz may have made the abbreviation stick as an insult.

Origin: German · First attested 1930

Class of 1930 Nazi joined the language around 1930.

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Synonyms

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national socialist fascist

Related words

fascist blackshirt fascistic

Rhymes for Nazi

fugazi Anasazi Benghazi

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Nazi” mean?

The word “Nazi” means a member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, which ruled Germany under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945. In plain terms, refers to the WWII-era German fascist party and its ideology, or informally (and often controversially) to someone acting like a petty tyrant about rules.

How do you pronounce “Nazi”?

“Nazi” is pronounced NAHT-see (/ˈnɑːtsi/ in IPA).

How do you use “Nazi” in a sentence?

Here is “Nazi” used in a sentence: “The museum documents how the Nazis rose to power.”

What part of speech is “Nazi”?

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

Where does the word “Nazi” come from?

The word “Nazi” dates back to around 1930 and comes from German. A German clipping of Nationalsozialist ("National Socialist"), first used around 1930; the coincidental resemblance to "Nazi" as an old nickname for the name Ignaz may have made the abbreviation stick as an insult.

Is “Nazi” a common word?

“Nazi” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Nazi” have?

“Nazi” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, which ruled Germany under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945.

What is the difference between a "Nazi" and a "neo-Nazi"?

A Nazi was originally a member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party that governed Germany under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945. A neo-Nazi is a person today who revives or supports that ideology.

Should "Nazi" be written with a capital N?

When referring to the historical party and its members, "Nazi" is a proper noun and is capitalised. It is generally capitalised in careful writing whether describing the historical movement or its modern followers.

Where does the word "Nazi" come from?

"Nazi" is a short form based on the German pronunciation of "Nationalsozialist," the opening of the party's full name. It came into use as a brief label for members of that party.

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