Jew

¹

[ 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.
3. 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 ).

Jew.

²

abbreviation for

1. Jewish.

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

Sensitive Note

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

• non-Jew noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jew¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jew¹

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

Example Sentences

Woodward’s lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Ken Morrison, devoted much of the three-month trial to assailing what he called the “Nazi kills gay Jew” narrative and portrayed his client as struggling with his sexuality while growing up in a conservative family.

From Los Angeles Times

But then messages calling for retaliation appeared on social media, some using chilling terms such as "Jew hunt".

From BBC

It adds: “Invited to pose for a photo with lovely peaceful British Friends of Israel on Saturday police refused. Look at this lot smiling with the Jew haters.”

From BBC

During a recent interview, Trump agreed with a right-wing radio host who said that Imhoff is a “bad Jew.”

From Salon

After the attack on Israel, Tworetzky said, she felt “so scared to be a Jew.”

From Slate