N-word

American  

[en-wurd] / ˈɛnˌwɜrd /

Also n word or n-word

noun

1. a euphemism for the word nigger .

   His use of the highly offensive N-word during a televised broadcast caused outrage.

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n-word British  

noun

1. offensive (sometimes capital) a euphemistic way of referring to the word nigger

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Usage

See nigger.

Etymology

Origin of N-word

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

They did not repeat the N-word while discussing the book in their classroom, she said.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2024

The discourse around hip hop often harps on Black artists who use the "N-word", stokes racialized resentment of rappers for "driving in Mercedes-Benzs," and hyperventilates over lyrics that celebrate sexual freedom.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2022

India Arie has labeled Joe Rogan "consciously racist" for his repeated use of the N-word.

From Fox News • Feb. 15, 2022

The Colorado Rockies’ investigation into a fan yelling a racial slur was completed Monday and found that the man was calling for the team’s mascot, Dinger, instead of using the N-word, according to multiple reports.

From Washington Times • Aug. 9, 2021

Should anything be taken from the decision to use asterisks in place of the N-word in “Roadrunner’s” lyric sheet?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2021