gypsy
gypsy Lexical Profile
gypsy Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to the Romani people, their language, or their traditional culture (usually capitalized, often considered offensive).
"The festival featured traditional Gypsy violin music from Eastern Europe."
North American Operating independently, unlicensed, or without official affiliation, such as an unregulated taxicab or non-union trucker.
"Travelers at the airport were warned to avoid unlicensed gypsy cabs."
• noun
A member of the Romani people, a traditionally itinerant ethnic group originating in northern India and now living chiefly in Europe and the Americas (usually capitalized, often considered offensive).
"Historians have traced the migration of the Gypsies from the Indian subcontinent to Europe during the medieval period."
A nomadic, free-spirited, or unconventional person who moves frequently from place to place.
"After college, he lived like a gypsy, working seasonal jobs across three continents."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the ethnic group, the capitalized term 'Gypsy' is widely considered pejorative or offensive by many Romani people, and 'Romani' (or 'Rom' / 'Roma') is preferred in formal and respectful usage; however, some groups in the UK and Ireland self-identify as Romany Gypsies or Irish Travellers.
• Rhymes for gypsy
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating to the mid-16th century, the word is a shortening of 'gypcian', an aphetic form of Middle English 'Egypcian' (Egyptian), arising from the mistaken belief that the Romani people originated in Egypt rather than northern India.