Gypsy

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noun

Gyp·​sy ˈjip-sē 

plural Gypsies

1

usually offensive; see usage paragraph below

a

: a member of a traditionally itinerant people who originated in northern India and now live chiefly in Europe and in smaller numbers throughout the world : romani sense 1, rom entry 1

b

: the Indo-Aryan language of the Roma people : romani sense 2

2

gypsy often offensive; see usage paragraph below : a person who wanders or roams from place to place : wanderer

Usage of Gypsy

Though still frequently encountered in English, use of the term Gypsy to refer to Roma people or their language is increasingly regarded as offensive because of negative stereotypes associated with that term. Although Gypsy is sometimes used as a neutral or positive self-descriptor, it is recommended that those for whom it is not a self-descriptor use Roma or Romani/Romany instead. Other uses of gypsy are also increasingly understood as offensive, including the general "wanderer" meaning of the noun and the related meaning of the verb gypsy, as well as compound terms, such as gypsy moth and gypsy cab. The word gyp, which probably originated as a shortened form of Gypsy, has noun and verb meanings relating to cheating and swindling that are widely considered offensive.

gypsy

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verb

gyp·​sy ˈjip-sē 

gypsied; gypsying; gypsies

intransitive verb

often offensive

: to travel or roam from place to place see usage paragraph at gypsy

Synonyms

Noun

• drifter
• gadabout
• knockabout
• maunderer
• nomad
• rambler
• roamer
• rover
• stroller
• vagabond
• wanderer
• wayfarer

Word History

Etymology

Noun

by shortening & alteration from Egyptian

First Known Use

Noun

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1820, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Gypsy

noun

Gyp·​sy ˈjip-sē 

plural Gypsies

1

usually offensive : one of a people coming originally from India to Europe in the 14th or 15th century and living and maintaining a wandering way of life : romani sense 1

2

: romani sense 2

Etymology

Noun

a shortened and altered form of Egyptian; so called because Romani were once believed to have come from Egypt