Yugoslav

or Ju·go·slav

[ yoo-goh-slahv, -slav ]

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of the former country of Yugoslavia.
2. a southern Slav; a member of the southern group of Slavic peoples. Compare Slav.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Yugoslavs.

Yugoslav

/ ˈjuːɡəʊˌslɑːv /

noun

1. (formerly) a native, inhabitant, or citizen of Yugoslavia (sense 1 or 2)
2. (not in technical use) another name for Serbo-Croat

adjective

1. (formerly) of, relating to, or characteristic of Yugoslavia (sense 1 or 2) or its people

Other Words From

• an·ti-Yu·go·slav adjective noun
• pro-Yu·go·slav noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Yugoslav¹

1850–55; earlier Jugo-Slav < German Jugoslawe < Serbo-Croatian Jugoslòvēn, Jugoslàvēn, equivalent to jȕg south + -o- -o- + Slovēn, Slavēn Slav

Example Sentences

A former Trump administration aide, Mr. Grenell first proposed that U.S. investors attempt to redevelop the long-vacant bombed-out site of the former Yugoslav Ministry of Defense while Mr. Grenell was still a diplomat, serving as a special envoy to the Balkans.

From New York Times

China has built strong relations with Serbia, including making a semi-secret delivery of an anti-aircraft missile system to the former Yugoslav republic in 2022.

From Seattle Times

Yugoslav physicians first considered legalizing abortion back in 1935, and that became a reality in the 1950s.

From Seattle Times

But it nonetheless gave Yugoslav women easy access to terminate pregnancies in clinics throughout the former six-member federation.

From Seattle Times

It’s a history lesson, yes, but an uncommonly boisterous one, chockablock with daring street performances captured on clandestine cameras, psychedelic Hungarian posters and avant-garde Czech fashion, documents of queer parties in Warsaw and punk nights in Prague, and some nifty Yugoslav computer art.

From New York Times