noun
wop
wop
Wop (noun) means a highly offensive slur for a person of Italian descent. Example: “The word is considered a serious ethnic slur and should be avoided entirely.”
noun
1
A highly offensive slur for a person of Italian descent.
"The word is considered a serious ethnic slur and should be avoided entirely."
How to use wop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA derogatory slur — not a neutral term, and it carries a long history of prejudice.
When to use it
Extremely offensive; included here only for dictionary completeness, not for use.
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Word forms
- Plural
- wops
Etymology
Believed to come from a Neapolitan greeting meaning roughly "dude" or "handsome," itself borrowed from Spanish. First recorded in New York City around 1906. Despite popular myth, it is not an acronym for "without papers."
Class of 1906
wop joined the language around 1906.
See the full Class of 1906 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “wop” mean?
The word “wop” means a highly offensive slur for a person of Italian descent. In plain terms, a derogatory slur — not a neutral term, and it carries a long history of prejudice.
How do you pronounce “wop”?
“Wop” is pronounced wop (/wɑp/ in IPA).
How do you use “wop” in a sentence?
Here is “wop” used in a sentence: “The word is considered a serious ethnic slur and should be avoided entirely.”
What part of speech is “wop”?
“Wop” is a noun.
Where does the word “wop” come from?
The word “wop” dates back to around 1906 and comes from Spanish.
