ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jews

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈdʒuz// jews Dialect

n. people who belong to a group that shares a religion called Judaism and a common history. They may practice the religion or simply feel connected to the culture and community.

n. members of an ethno-religious group originating from the historical Israelites and adherents of Judaism. The term encompasses both those who practice the faith and those who identify with the culture and heritage.


SIMPLE

Many Jews celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah in the winter.

CONTEXTUAL

The local community center offers programs for Jews and people of all other backgrounds to learn about history.

COMPLEX

Throughout history, Jews have maintained a distinct cultural identity while contributing significantly to the legal, scientific, and artistic developments of the various nations in which they settled.

Synonyms
Usage

The plural form of 'Jew'. While 'Jew' is a neutral descriptor, using it as an adjective (e.g., 'Jew lawyer') is considered offensive; the correct adjective is 'Jewish'.

Pitfall

He is a Jew man.He is a Jewish man.Learners sometimes use the noun as an adjective, which can sound insensitive or offensive; use 'Jewish' for the adjectival form.

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