nigga

[ nig-uh ]

noun

, Slang: Usually Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a term used to refer to or address a Black person.

Usage Alert

Nigga is used mainly among African Americans, but also among other minorities and ethnicities, in a neutral or familiar way and as a friendly term of address. It is also common in rap music. However, nigga is taken to be extremely offensive when used by outsiders. Many people consider this word to be equally as offensive as nigger. The words nigger and nigga are pronounced alike in certain dialects, and so it has been claimed that they are one and the same word.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nigga¹

Alteration of nigger, based on pronunciation