buckra

[ buhk-ruh ]

/ ˈbʌk rə /

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noun Southern U.S. (chiefly South Atlantic States).

Usually Disparaging and Offensive. a term used to refer to a white man.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of buckra

First recorded in 1685–90; of uncertain origin; often alleged to be from Efik m̀bakára “white man”; compare Jamaican English backra, and earlier English spellings bochara, bacceroe, backearary

Words nearby buckra

buckminsterfullerene, buck moth, Buckner, bucko, buck passer, buckra, buck rabbit, buckraking, buckram, Bucks, bucksaw

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use buckra in a sentence

Man Friday hope piccaniny live well—bring her buckra fish from sea!
Modern Broods|Charlotte Mary Yonge
On our entrance, the old lady yelled out "My God, ye Buckra (white) man no stop come in do (door) pull'e side house down."
Torrey's Narrative|William Torrey
Only one buckra, massa, and him family berry glad see officers; plenty fun, oh yes!
The Three Lieutenants|W.H.G. Kingston
Thus Sambo passes on to get his molasses, laughing in his sleeve to think how he "fool ignorant buckra."
Manuel Pereira|F. C. Adams

Another common gulla word is "Buckra" which means a white man of the upper class, in contradistinction to a poor white.
American Adventures|Julian Street

British Dictionary definitions for buckra

buckra

/ (ˈbʌkrə) /

noun

(used contemptuously by Black people, esp in the US) a White man

Word Origin for buckra

C18: probably from Efik mba-ka-ra master

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012