Jewess

[ joo-is ]

noun

, Older Use: Usually Offensive.

1. a term used to refer to a Jewish girl or woman.

Jewess

/ ˈdʒuːɪs /

noun

1. offensive.
   a Jewish girl or woman

Sensitive Note

First used in the Middle Ages, the term Jewess has been an inoffensive, neutral term for most of its history. With the advent of the civil rights and feminist movements of the 1960s, it began to be considered condescending and has since declined in use. -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jewess¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English jewesse; Jew, -ess

Example Sentences

“Because of their antisemitic use in history and in the present, especially during the Nazi era, the words Jew/Jewess have been debated … for decades,” the entry on the dictionary’s website now says.

From Seattle Times

But his notorious anti-Semitic essay, “Judaism in Music,” published under his name the following month, soured the relationship, and Wagner and his wife, Cosima, began referring derisively to Viardot as a “Jewess.”

From New York Times

But Mr. Rothstein is a C-lister when compared with Ms. Gottfried, a child actor who had her first agent when she was 11 and is frequently featured in Jewish publications including Kveller.com and Jewess Magazine.

From New York Times

After the site published a post about the “Jewess” and her candidacy, a reader posted Schrode’s contact information in the comments section.

From Washington Times

She said she was called a “slimy Jewess” and received death threats sent to her private Facebook account.

From MSNBC