gangsta

[ gang-stuh ]

noun

1. a member of an urban street gang:

   He was a true gangsta, and he fought like a soldier for his turf.

   Synonyms: cholo, homie, homeboy, thug

2. gangsta rap ( def ).

adjective

1. of or characteristic of urban street gangs, their members, or gangsta rap:

   There was no hiding his prison record or his gangsta tattoos from potential employers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gangsta¹

First recorded in 1985–90; representing the typically r-less African American Vernacular English pronunciation of gangster ( def )

Example Sentences

However, that same day a gangsta from the west coast woke up too.

From Everything After Z

And then, that “gangsta” style is just one, and less dominant than it once was.

From The Daily Beast

Tupac did indeed find prison so harrowing that he soon reconsidered his gangsta ways.

From The Daily Beast

Standout tracks include the Bad-era sounding Blue Gangsta and the irrepressibly buoyant Paul Anka-written Love Never Felt So Good.

From The Daily Beast

Every time the question of black teenagers comes up, someone blames 'gangsta rap' for their problems.

From The Daily Beast

Rihanna reckons that Princess Diana was gangsta—when it came to clothing, at least.

From The Daily Beast