bigot
Americannoun
-
bigots
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of bigot
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French, from Old French: a derogatory name applied by the French to the Normans, perhaps from Old English bī God “by God”
Compare meaning
How does bigot compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A bigot is someone who doesn't tolerate people of different backgrounds or opinions. Someone who tells a racist joke might be labeled a bigot. A bigot can also be someone who refuses to accept other ideas, as in politics. This word was borrowed from Middle French, but the French word is of uncertain origin. In Old French bigot was a term of abuse for Normans, and possibly related to the oath bi got "by God." In English and French, a bigot was originally a hypocrite, a person who claims to have certain moral beliefs but whose behavior doesn't match those beliefs. A bigot was specifically a hypocritical professor of religion, but the connection with the current sense of bigot is not clear.
Vocabulary lists containing bigot
The Westing Game
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Black Like Me
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Little Rock Girl 1957
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Thus the effort to cast Mr. Rogers as a bigot.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
His critics denounced him as a far-right bigot and the courts convicted him several times for his radical remarks.
From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2025
“When a news organization says you’re a racist, bigot, whatever, people believe them,” he said.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2024
During the waning days of Vietnam and the rancor of the Watergate era, the conflict between Meathead, an educated, politically progressive hippie, and Archie, a working-class bigot, resonated with millions of Americans.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2023
He had enough problems with the empty restaurant, a lazy son, and his nagging ulcer; now he had to put up with this bigot.
From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin
The people who risked being called bigots to tell me I wasn’t good enough yet changed it even more.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
Greer also vowed to take on "bigots and the conmen" directing anger at the most vulnerable people in society.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2025
The demographic classification itself is extremely broad, encompassing white and Indigenous and Afro-Latinos, long-conservative anti-leftist refugees from Venezuela and Cuba, Democratic-loyal Mexican Americans, immigrants, U.S.–born citizens, bigots and progressives, Catholics and Protestants and atheists.
From Slate ● Feb. 24, 2025
Americans have grown more, not less, tolerant over time and the raging bigots we see on social media are mostly a despised fringe.
From Salon ● Nov. 21, 2024
But I’m not gonna stereotype the whole white race just for a few bigots.
From "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago" by LeAlan Jones
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
