noun
wog
wog
Wog (noun) means an ethnic slur used, mainly in British and Australian English, for people of certain non-white or Mediterranean backgrounds. Example: “The word "wog" is considered highly offensive and is best avoided entirely.”
noun
1
An ethnic slur used, mainly in British and Australian English, for people of certain non-white or Mediterranean backgrounds.
"The word "wog" is considered highly offensive and is best avoided entirely."
2
A minor illness, such as a cold or stomach bug (informal, chiefly British).
"He's been off work all week with some kind of wog."
How to use wog
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA racial slur in its main sense; separately, informal British slang for a minor illness like a cold.
When to use it
The ethnic sense is a slur and offensive in virtually all contexts — this entry documents the word, it does not endorse its use.
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Word forms
- Plural
- wogs
- Third person singular
- wogs
- Past tense
- wogged
Etymology
Origin uncertain; the most widely accepted theory traces it to a shortening of "golliwog," a doll character from a 19th-century children's book, though several unproven acronym stories also circulate.
Class of 1800
wog joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Frequently asked questions
What does “wog” mean?
The word “wog” means an ethnic slur used, mainly in British and Australian English, for people of certain non-white or Mediterranean backgrounds. In plain terms, a racial slur in its main sense; separately, informal British slang for a minor illness like a cold.
How do you pronounce “wog”?
“Wog” is pronounced wog (/wɔɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wog” in a sentence?
Here is “wog” used in a sentence: “The word "wog" is considered highly offensive and is best avoided entirely.”
What part of speech is “wog”?
“Wog” is a noun.
Where does the word “wog” come from?
The word “wog” dates back to around 1800. Origin uncertain; the most widely accepted theory traces it to a shortening of "golliwog," a doll character from a 19th-century children's book, though several unproven acronym stories also circulate.
How many meanings does “wog” have?
“Wog” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an ethnic slur used, mainly in British and Australian English, for people of certain non-white or Mediterranean backgrounds.
