gangsta

American  

[gang-stuh] / ˈgæŋ stə /

noun

1. a member of an urban street gang.

   He was a true gangsta, and he fought like a soldier for his turf.

   Synonyms:

   cholo, homie, homeboy, thug

2. gangsta rap.

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adjective

1. of or characteristic of urban street gangs, their members, or gangsta rap.

   There was no hiding his prison record or his gangsta tattoos from potential employers.

Etymology

Origin of gangsta

First recorded in 1985–90; representing the typically r-less African American Vernacular English pronunciation of gangster ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does gangsta compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• gangster vs. gangsta

Example Sentences

Some of his books, including Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, have also been adapted into television films.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025

He has also enjoyed success as a best-selling author with books including Gangsta Granny and The Boy in the Dress.

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2023

Gangsta Grillz caught so much attention that it led to a law enforcement raid on Drama’s compound in 2007.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2023

Gangsta Boo, the Memphis rapper and former member of Three 6 Mafia, helped define Southern rap with her confident flows.

From New York Times • Jan. 7, 2023

Gangsta rap—while it may amount to little more than a minstrel show when it appears on MTV today—has its roots in the struggle for a positive identity among outcasts.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander