Ebonics

American  

[ih-bon-iks] / ɪˈbɒn ɪks /

Or ebonics

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. African American Vernacular English.

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ebonics British  

/ ɪˈbɒnɪks /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of Ebonics

An Americanism first recorded in 1970–75; blend of ebony and 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 • Sep. 21, 2023

The demand upholds the organization’s earlier statement that Ebonics communicates Black traditions and social truths.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

But, my mother upheld that if my brother and I negated these ill-formed pre-conceived notions by not speaking in Ebonics and studied hard, our lot in life would be easier.

From Time • Jan. 30, 2015

But wait, what is African-American English exactly and isn’t it called Ebonics?

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2012

But he knows this could be a controversial issue, reminiscent of the Ebonics debate decades ago.

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2012