noun
Provo
PROH-voh
Provo (noun) means an informal term for a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Example: “The documentary interviewed a former Provo about the ceasefire.”
noun
1
An informal term for a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army.
"The documentary interviewed a former Provo about the ceasefire."
"The RUC broke up a Provo cell in Belfast."
"'The Provos bombing a Glasgow pub?' McCormack shook his head."
— Liam McIlvanney, The Heretic (2022)
How to use Provo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slang name for a member of the Provisional IRA.
When to use it
Informal and politically loaded; mainly found in historical or journalistic writing about Northern Ireland.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Provos
Fill the gap
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The documentary interviewed a former _____ about the ceasefire.
Etymology
It comes from Dutch Provo, a shortening of provoceren ("to provoke"), from French provoquer.
Rhymes for Provo
See all rhymes for Provo →Frequently asked questions
What does “Provo” mean?
The word “Provo” means an informal term for a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. In plain terms, a slang name for a member of the Provisional IRA.
How do you pronounce “Provo”?
“Provo” is pronounced PROH-voh (/ˈpɹoʊ.voʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Provo” in a sentence?
Here is “Provo” used in a sentence: “The documentary interviewed a former Provo about the ceasefire.”
What part of speech is “Provo”?
“Provo” is a noun.
