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

Jean-Paul Sartre articulated a concept: The antisemite makes the Jew. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Sep. 2024

The relationship between László and Van Buren is many contrasting things at once: artist/patron, immigrant Jew/American blue blood, vassal/exploiter, and, ultimately, something much darker. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2024

However, Chef Jew says the seed for a partnership was planted many years ago. —Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 27 Aug. 2024

This bunker is for sale by owner, and the owner is Malachi Twigg, an Orthodox Jew who wears a yarmulke on his head and a Glock 17 on his hip. —Patricia Marx, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024

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

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