noun Uncommon

nigga

NIH-guh

Nigga (noun) means an informal variant spelling and pronunciation of the slur "nigger," now also used by some Black speakers (especially in African American Vernacular English and hip-hop culture) as a casual, sometimes affectionate, term of address among themselves. Example: “Used this way, it functions much like "dude" or "man" between close friends within the community that has reclaimed it.”

noun

An informal variant spelling and pronunciation of the slur "nigger," now also used by some Black speakers (especially in African American Vernacular English and hip-hop culture) as a casual, sometimes affectionate, term of address among themselves.

"Used this way, it functions much like "dude" or "man" between close friends within the community that has reclaimed it."

How to use nigga

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA reclaimed variant of a racial slur, used by some Black speakers among themselves but considered off-limits for outsiders to use.

When to use it

Highly context-dependent; widely regarded as inappropriate for anyone outside the community it has been reclaimed within.

Word forms

niggas plural

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Etymology

A dialectal respelling of "nigger" reflecting African American Vernacular English pronunciation, which took on a distinct, partly reclaimed meaning separate from the original slur.

Frequently asked questions

What does “nigga” mean?

The word “nigga” means an informal variant spelling and pronunciation of the slur "nigger," now also used by some Black speakers (especially in African American Vernacular English and hip-hop culture) as a casual, sometimes affectionate, term of address among themselves. In plain terms, a reclaimed variant of a racial slur, used by some Black speakers among themselves but considered off-limits for outsiders to use.

How do you pronounce “nigga”?

“Nigga” is pronounced NIH-guh (/ˈnɪɡə/ in IPA).

How do you use “nigga” in a sentence?

Here is “nigga” used in a sentence: “Used this way, it functions much like "dude" or "man" between close friends within the community that has reclaimed it.”

What part of speech is “nigga”?

“Nigga” is a noun.

Is “nigga” a common word?

“Nigga” is an uncommon word in modern English.