gypsy

[ jip-see ]

noun

, plural gyp·sies.

1. (initial capital letter) Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. Roma ¹( def 1 ). the current entry.
2. (initial capital letter) (not in technical use) the Indic language of the Roma; Romani.
3. a person held to resemble a Roma, especially in physical characteristics or in a traditionally ascribed freedom or inclination to move from place to place.
4. Informal. gypsy cab.
5. Informal. an independent, usually nonunion trucker, hauler, operator, etc.
6. Slang. a chorus dancer, especially in the Broadway theater.
7. (in horse racing) gyp ¹( def 4 ).

adjective

1. (initial capital letter) Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. of or relating to the Roma; Romani.
2. Informal. working independently or without a license:

   gypsy truckers.

Gypsy

/ ˈdʒɪpsɪ /

noun

1. 1. a member of a people scattered throughout Europe and North America, who maintain a nomadic way of life in industrialized societies. They migrated from NW India from about the 9th century onwards
   2. ( as modifier )

      a Gypsy fortune-teller

2. the language of the Gypsies; Romany
3. a person who looks or behaves like a Gypsy

Sensitive Note

The Roma have commonly been called Gypsies . However, Gypsy is a word that has also been used as a disparaging slur for this ethnic group, and many Romani people find it offensive. The collective members of this tribe are best referred to with the plural noun Roma . To refer to an individual, Rom and Romani are the preferred singular forms.

Derived Forms

• ˈGypsydom, noun
• ˈGypsy-ˌlike, adjective
• ˈGypsyish, adjective
• ˈGypsyˌhood, noun

Other Words From

• gyp·sy·dom noun
• gyp·sy·esque gyp·sy·ish gyp·sy·like gyp·se·ian adjective
• gyp·sy·hood noun
• gyp·sy·ism noun
• non-Gyp·sy noun plural nonGypsies

Word History and Origins

Origin of gypsy¹

First recorded in 1505–15; back formation of gipcyan, variant of Egyptian (showing a loss of the unstressed initial syllable), from the mistaken belief that Gypsies came originally from Egypt

Word History and Origins

Origin of gypsy¹

C16: from Egyptian , since they were thought to have come originally from Egypt

Example Sentences

I actually found it quite pleasurable, and it prepared me for this strange, gypsy lifestyle of an actor.

From The Daily Beast

The family held together in the gypsy jet stream that is military life.

From The Daily Beast

The son of a schoolteacher and a bookkeeper, Hoskins had gypsy blood in him from his Romani grandmother.

From The Daily Beast

With three others, they now constitute the San Miguel Five and play a combination of Afro-Latin, classical, and gypsy jazz.

From The Daily Beast

Her moniker in headlines quickly transformed to “Mystery Gypsy.”

From The Daily Beast

She was a thin, dark-eyed creature, with a gypsy face and a quantity of gray hair wound about on the top of her head.

From Project Gutenberg

Her gypsy face shone radiant out of her black cloth hood, and Ronald's was no less luminous.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides a tarantass, drawn by good Siberian horses, will always go faster than a gypsy cart!

From Project Gutenberg

But the stars and the Gypsy brethren forbid the banns, so they part eternally.

From Project Gutenberg

Which is a pity; a Gypsy Quakeress would be a charming fancy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• Rom
• Roma
• Romanichal
• tzigane
• zingara
• zingaro