Ebonics

or e·bon·ics

[ ih-bon-iks ]

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. African American Vernacular English.

ebonics

/ ɪˈbɒnɪks /

noun

1. functioning as singular another name for African-American Vernacular English

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ebonics¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1970–75; blend of ebony and phonics

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ebonics¹

C20: from ebony + phonics

Example Sentences

Next up was Micah Bournes, 35, who drove from Long Beach to perform “Native Tongue,” a spoken-word poem on cultural assimilation and Ebonics.

From Los Angeles Times

He might as well have said, ‘Speak Ebonics.’

From New York Times

I sat through him ripping the play apart, telling me the audience of 80-plus people were wrong, and continually use the word “Ebonics” rather than eugenics, which is a topic in my play.

From Los Angeles Times

She speaks in exaggerated “Ebonics”, shuns political correctness, commits crimes and often asserts her ol’-time values with the aid of firearms.

From The Guardian

It is the culinary counterpart to African American vernacular English, “in other words, black English, Ebonics,” he explained.

From Washington Post