gypsy

[ jip-see ]

noun

, plural gyp·sies.

1. (initial capital letter) Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. Roma ¹( def 1 ).
2. (initial capital letter) (not in technical use) the Indic language of the Roma; Romani.
3. a person held to resemble a Roma, especially in physical characteristics or in a traditionally ascribed freedom or inclination to move from place to place.
4. Informal. gypsy cab.
5. Informal. an independent, usually nonunion trucker, hauler, operator, etc.
6. Slang. a chorus dancer, especially in the Broadway theater.
7. (in horse racing) gyp ¹( def 4 ).

adjective

1. (initial capital letter) Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. of or relating to the Roma; Romani.
2. Informal. working independently or without a license:

   gypsy truckers.

Gypsy

/ ˈdʒɪpsɪ /

noun

1. 1. a member of a people scattered throughout Europe and North America, who maintain a nomadic way of life in industrialized societies. They migrated from NW India from about the 9th century onwards
   2. ( as modifier )

      a Gypsy fortune-teller

2. the language of the Gypsies; Romany
3. a person who looks or behaves like a Gypsy

Sensitive Note

The Roma have commonly been called Gypsies . However, Gypsy is a word that has also been used as a disparaging slur for this ethnic group, and many Romani people find it offensive. The collective members of this tribe are best referred to with the plural noun Roma . To refer to an individual, Rom and Romani are the preferred singular forms.

Derived Forms

• ˈGypsyish, adjective
• ˈGypsyˌhood, noun
• ˈGypsydom, noun
• ˈGypsy-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• gyp·sy·dom noun
• gyp·sy·esque gyp·sy·ish gyp·sy·like gyp·se·ian adjective
• gyp·sy·hood noun
• gyp·sy·ism noun
• non-Gyp·sy noun plural nonGypsies

Word History and Origins

Origin of gypsy¹

First recorded in 1505–15; back formation of gipcyan, variant of Egyptian (showing a loss of the unstressed initial syllable), from the mistaken belief that Gypsies came originally from Egypt

Word History and Origins

Origin of gypsy¹

C16: from Egyptian , since they were thought to have come originally from Egypt

Example Sentences

“Theater people are vagabonds, wandering gypsies,” he writes.

From Los Angeles Times

"We deeply regret any distress caused, particularly to members of the traveller and gypsy communities who have been directly affected," the company added.

From BBC

Heat-treating wood, for example, can also help ward off the gypsy moth, spotted lanternfly and the Asian long-horned beetle, Tamm said.

From Los Angeles Times

Washington has had success over the past five decades in detecting and eradicating the pests — formerly known as gypsy moths.

From Seattle Times

Looking on were the usual suspects of Rio’s Carnival scene: revelers dressed as folkloric characters, jaguars, gypsies and ‘bate-bolas’ – exuberant clowns in identical, elaborate outfits who travel in packs.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• Rom
• Roma
• Romanichal
• tzigane
• zingara
• zingaro