N-word

or n-word

[ en-wurd ]

noun

1. a euphemism for the word nigger : C-word, F-word, word ( def 2 ).

   His use of the highly offensive N-word during a televised broadcast caused outrage.

n-word

noun

1. the n-word offensive.
   sometimes capital a euphemistic way of referring to the word nigger

Usage Note

See nigger.

Word History and Origins

Origin of N-word¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

One of the most apparent examples was the Mayweather-McGregor fight in 2017, with McGregor engaging in pre-fight antics where he called Mayweather "boy" – the anti-Black slur that serves as a proxy for the N-word – when instructing him to “dance” for him.

From Salon

Morgan Wallen, the hugely popular country singer blanked at the Grammys for several years following TMZ’s posting of a video in which he drunkenly used the N-word, received his first nominations — for country song and country duo/group performance — with “I Had Some Help,” his chart-topping duet with Post Malone.

From Los Angeles Times

"I was born in France. I grew up in France, and we know certain realities. There's been a lot of racism. I was six and I was called the N-word at school. Every day," Mr Gomis, who went to school in the southern port city of Marseille, tells the BBC World Service.

From BBC

The actor also was heard on a leaked tape using the N-word at his previous partner, Oksana Grigorieva, who also alleged that Gibson was physically abusive.

From Salon

Shortly after her appearance on “The View,” Harris did an interview that lasted more than an hour with Stern, who initially was famous for having lascivious discussions on the airwaves, releasing “Butt Bongo Fiesta,” a $10-million-grossing home video featuring him spanking young women’s bare bottoms in time with music, and many other instances of offensive content, including using the N-word.

From Los Angeles Times