Inuit

noun

In·​u·​it ˈi-n(y)ü-wət 

variants or less commonly Innuit

1

plural Inuit or Inuits also Innuit or Innuits

a

: a group of Indigenous peoples of northern Alaska, arctic Canada, and Greenland

—used especially for those of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland

Note: In Canada, the name Inuit refers to one of three major, legally recognized groups of aboriginal peoples, the other two being the First Nations and the Métis.

see also inuk

b

: a member of such people

2

: any of the languages of the Inuit

Usage of Eskimo and Inuit

Eskimo is a word that presents challenges for anyone who is concerned about avoiding the use of offensive language. Its offensiveness stems partly from a now-discredited belief that it was originally a pejorative term meaning "eater of raw flesh," but perhaps more significantly from its being a word imposed on aboriginal peoples by outsiders. It has long been considered a word to be avoided in Canada, where native people refer to themselves as Inuit, a word that means "people" in their language. But not all the native people who are referred to as Eskimos are Inuit. Eskimo has no exact synonym; it has a general meaning that encompasses a number of indigenous peoples, and it continues for now in widespread use in many parts of the English-speaking world.

Examples of Inuit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cruise to Greenland’s breathtaking Scoresby Sund, one of the world’s largest fjord systems, and explore its towering icebergs, ancient Inuit villages and wildlife-rich tundra. —Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Reports from rescue missions, Inuit in the area and subsequent forensic and archaeological work on human and nonhuman remains have since pieced together part of the story, which includes ships stuck in winter ice, food gone bad, a desperate trip overland, and the likelihood of cannibalism. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024

That number includes Inuit, Cree, and Naskapi JBNQA beneficiaries who have free access. —Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2024

Unless all of one’s ancestors are Inuit, Hawaiian or Native American — the inhabitants of the states before colonization — then all of us are descended from immigrants. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Inuit inuit, plural of inuk person

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

Inuit

noun

In·​u·​it ˈi-n(y)ü-wət 

variants also Innuit

1

plural Inuit or Inuits also Innuit or Innuits

a

: any of a number of groups of Indigenous peoples of northern Alaska, arctic Canada, and Greenland

—used especially of those of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland

b

: a member of such people

2

: any of the languages of the Inuit