Jew

noun

ˈjü 

1

: a person belonging to a continuation through descent or conversion of the ancient Jewish people

2

: one whose religion is Judaism

3

a

: a member of the tribe of Judah

b

: israelite

4

: a member of a nation existing in Palestine from the sixth century b.c. to the first century a.d.

Examples of Jew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a mostly observant Jew, Tevye’s life has been defined by tradition. —David Lyman, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025

Dhillon became notorious in 1988, as editor of the Dartmouth Review, for publishing a column depicting then president James Freedman, a Jew, as Adolf Hitler. —Rob Wolfe, New Yorker, 18 July 2025

While prior convenings purported to be about college presidents’ handling of antisemitic incidents, the latest hearing was billed as focused on sources of Jew hatred on university campuses. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025

To me, as a Jew, interfaith activist, and lifelong New Yorker committed to this city being more livable for all who call it home, the contrast is striking. —Albert Fox Cahn, New York Daily News, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French ju, jeu, from Latin Judaeus, from Greek Ioudaios, from Hebrew Yĕhūdhī, from Yĕhūdhāh Judah, Jewish kingdom

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Jew

• Jew's harp

Rhymes for Jew

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

Jew

noun

ˈjü 

1

: one of the ancient Hebrews or a descendant of the ancient Hebrews

2

: one whose religion is Judaism

Jewish

ˈjü-ish

adjective