Word
nigger
Phoneticsnig·ger, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnɪɡɝ/
UK/nˈɪɡɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. an extremely offensive and hateful word for a Black person. You should never use this word because it has a long history of being used to hurt and insult people.
n. an exceptionally offensive racial slur directed at Black people, carrying a history of systemic violence and oppression. While reclaimed in specific African American vernacular contexts, it remains a profound taboo for non-Black speakers.
Usage
Extremely offensive and taboo; its use by non-Black speakers is universally condemned in modern English.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French nègre (“a black person”), from Spanish negro. Ultimately from Latin niger (“black”), thus a doublet of negro and noir. The expected Modern English pronunciation would be with /iː/; compare neger. The modern pronunciation with /ɪ/ may be due to influence from the Latin etymon (compare the older Southern US pronunciation of negro with /ɪ/), but compare the dialectal American pronunciations of eagle and eager as /ˈɪɡəl/ and /ˈɪɡɚ/. Compare Danish neger, Swedish neger, German Neger, Dutch neger. First use appears c. 1577, in the writings of Edward Hellowes (fl. 1574–1601).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. house nigger
02. nigger rich
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/nigger