Jew

[ joo ]

noun
  1. one of a scattered group of people that traces its descent from the Biblical Hebrews or from postexilic adherents of Judaism; Israelite.

  2. a person whose religion is Judaism.

  1. a subject of the ancient kingdom of Judah.

adjective
  1. Offensive. of Jews; Jewish.

verb (used with object)
  1. jew, Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. to bargain sharply with; beat down in price (often followed by down).: See Usage note at the current entry.

Origin of Jew

1
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English jewe, giu, gyu, ju, from Old French juiu, juieu, gyu, from Late Latin judēus, Latin jūdaeus, from Greek ioudaîos, from Aramaic yehūdāi, from Hebrew Yəhūdhī, derivative of Yəhūdhāh Judah; replacing Old English iūdēas “Jews,” from Late Latin jūdē(us) + Old English -as, a plural ending

usage note For Jew

While both the adjective and the verb were once used in a neutral way by Jews and non-Jews, they are now considered problematic and offensive. The adjectival use of Jew, as in the phrase Jew boy, is perceived as insulting; the adjective Jewish should be used instead. The verb jew (down) is also perceived as offensive and antisemitic, because it perpetuates the stereotype of the shrewd Jewish moneylender or haggler.

Other words from Jew

  • non-Jew, noun

Other definitions for Jew. (2 of 2)

Jew.

abbreviation
  1. Jewish.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Jew in a sentence

  • It was crowned by a wide-brimmed bowler hat which the man wore pressed down upon his ears like a Jew pedlar.

    Dope | Sax Rohmer
  • He had no other opportunity; for the Jew remained very surly and silent till night, when he prepared to go abroad.

  • You may burn a candle, said the Jew, putting one upon the table; and heres a book for you to read till they come to fetch you.

  • Here, said Toby, as the young Jew placed some fragments of food and a bottle upon the table, Success to the crack!

  • The Jew was no sooner alone, than his countenance resumed its former expression of anxiety and thought.

British Dictionary definitions for Jew

Jew

/ (dʒuː) /


noun
  1. a member of the Semitic people who claim descent from the ancient Hebrew people of Israel, are spread throughout the world, and are linked by cultural or religious ties

  2. a person whose religion is Judaism

Origin of Jew

1
C12: from Old French juiu, from Latin jūdaeus, from Greek ioudaios, from Hebrew yehūdī, from yehūdāh Judah

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012