noun

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

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 notes

In 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.

Word forms

wops plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “wop” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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."

Origin: Spanish · First attested 1906

Class of 1906 wop joined the language around 1906.

allergy Eichmann grift grifter suffragette

See the full Class of 1906 →

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.