noun
Uncommon
negro
NEEG-roh
Negro (noun) means a dated and now offensive term for a Black person, once in common formal use but now considered outdated and inappropriate. Example: “The word appears in older census records and civil rights-era documents but is avoided today.”
noun
1
A dated and now offensive term for a Black person, once in common formal use but now considered outdated and inappropriate.
"The word appears in older census records and civil rights-era documents but is avoided today."
How to use negro
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn older word for a Black person that is now considered outdated and offensive in everyday use; it survives mainly in historical names and quoted text (e.g. the NAACP, "Negro spirituals").
When to use it
Avoid in modern speech and writing except when quoting historical names, titles, or documents.
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Word forms
- Plural
- negroes, negros
Etymology
From Spanish/Portuguese negro, "black," from Latin niger.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for negro
See all rhymes for negro →Frequently asked questions
What does “negro” mean?
The word “negro” means a dated and now offensive term for a Black person, once in common formal use but now considered outdated and inappropriate. In plain terms, an older word for a Black person that is now considered outdated and offensive in everyday use; it survives mainly in historical names and quoted text (e.g. the NAACP, "Negro spirituals").
How do you pronounce “negro”?
“Negro” is pronounced NEEG-roh (/ˈniɡɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “negro” in a sentence?
Here is “negro” used in a sentence: “The word appears in older census records and civil rights-era documents but is avoided today.”
What is another word for “negro”?
Words with a similar meaning to “negro” include blackamoor, black and African-American.
What part of speech is “negro”?
“Negro” is a noun.
Where does the word “negro” come from?
The word “negro” comes from Latin. From Spanish/Portuguese negro, "black," from Latin niger.
Is “negro” a common word?
“Negro” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Why is the word 'negro' now considered offensive?
Negro is a dated term for a Black person that was once in common formal use but is now considered outdated and inappropriate. Language norms have shifted, and terms like Black or African-American are now the accepted standard in most contexts.
What terms are used instead of 'negro' today?
Contemporary usage favors terms such as Black or African-American instead of negro, which is now regarded as an outdated and offensive label.
Is 'negro' ever appropriate to use today?
Generally no in everyday or formal usage, since it is now considered offensive; it may still appear in historical texts, older organization names, or academic discussion of language history, where it is understood as a term of its time rather than a recommended word to use.
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