Cajun

[ key-juhn ]

noun

1. a member of a group of people with an enduring cultural tradition whose French Catholic ancestors established permanent communities in Louisiana and Maine after being expelled from Acadia in the late 18th century.
2. the French dialect of the Cajuns.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Cajuns, especially those of Louisiana:

   Cajun cooking.

Cajun

/ ˈkeɪdʒən /

noun

1. a native of Louisiana descended from 18th-century Acadian immigrants
2. the dialect of French spoken by such people
3. the music of this ethnic group, combining blues and European folk music

adjective

1. denoting, relating to, or characteristic of such people, their language, or their music

Cajun

1. A native of Louisiana believed to be descended from the French exiles from Acadia ( see Nova Scotia ). Cajuns have maintained a separate culture , including a special dialect and distinctive cooking style.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cajun¹

First recorded in 1865–70; shortening of Acadian; compare Injun for Indian

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cajun¹

C19: alteration of Acadian ; compare Injun for Indian

Example Sentences

On a somewhat lighter note, famed Democratic strategist Carville brought his inimitable eccentric Cajun wit and shrewd political analysis to the festival as the subject of Matthew Tyrnauer’s doc “James Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid!”

From Los Angeles Times

Poirier has strong family ties, financial security, a sterling reputation and his name on a line of Cajun hot sauces created in an ode to his Lafayette, Louisiana roots.

From Seattle Times

The dialogue is stilted, and the accents in the voice acting — particularly Gambit’s confusing, inconsistent Cajun twang — are abominable.

From New York Times

That’s when Ms. Lena serves her famous fried catfish and Cajun fries.

From Literature

In Pioneer Square, SuperKim Crab House specializes in seafood boils and bar wings dressed up in eight different sauces, from Cajun to chili garlic.

From Seattle Times