Roma

¹ American  

[roh-mah] / ˈroʊ mɑ /

noun

Romas plural

1. Also a member of the traditionally nomadic Romani-speaking ethnic group that migrated from northern India to Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries, or any of their descendants around the world.

   Unfortunately, the Roma continue to face discrimination and are subjected to profiling by law enforcement.

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adjective

1. Romani.

Roma ² American  

[raw-mah] / ˈrɔ mɑ /

noun

1. Italian name of Rome.

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Roma ¹ British  

/ ˈrəʊmə /

noun

1. 1. another name for Gypsy

   2. ( as modifier )

      Roma gypsy musicians

2. another name for Romany

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Roma ² British  

/ ˈroːma /

noun

1. the Italian name for Rome

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Sensitive Note

See gypsy.

Etymology

Origin of Roma

First recorded in 1840–45; from Romani Romá, plural of Rom ( def. )

Example Sentences

Saturday's festivities outside and inside parliament are laden with symbolism, featuring flags and music that pays tribute to Hungary's EU membership, its sizeable Roma minority and ethnic Hungarians in neighbouring countries.

From Barron's • May 9, 2026

The Brazil centre-half arrived at PSG from Roma in 2013, surviving Luis Enrique's cull of big names because the coach is wise enough to see a consummate professional and world-class defender when he sees one.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

At the same time, deliveries of the 296 family and Roma Spider decreased as they begin to be phased out.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

In reality, Lolita is the work of a man who calls himself Tom, a 32-year-old visual designer who said he did not necessarily mean for his creation to have a Roma identity.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

For three weeks I sailed on the SS Roma, an Italian cargo vessel, in a cabin next to the ship’s engine, across the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and finally to England.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• Romanichal
• tzigane
• zingara
• zingaro