gypsy
Americannoun
plural
gypsies-
(initial capital letter) Roma.
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(initial capital letter) (not in technical use) the Indic language of the Roma; Romani.
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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.
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Informal. gypsy cab.
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Informal. an independent, usually nonunion trucker, hauler, operator, etc.
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Slang. a chorus dancer, especially in the Broadway theater.
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(in horse racing) gyp.
adjective
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(initial capital letter) of or relating to the Roma; Romani.
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Informal. working independently or without a license.
gypsy truckers.
noun
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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
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( as modifier )
a Gypsy fortune-teller
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the language of the Gypsies; Romany
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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.
Other Word Forms
- Gypsy-like adjective
- Gypsydom noun
- Gypsyhood noun
- Gypsyish adjective
- gypseian adjective
- gypsydom noun
- gypsyesque adjective
- gypsyhood noun
- gypsyish adjective
- gypsyism noun
- gypsylike adjective
- non-Gypsy noun
Etymology
Origin of gypsy
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
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.
"We deeply regret any distress caused, particularly to members of the traveller and gypsy communities who have been directly affected," the company added.
From BBC
Heat-treating wood, for example, can also help ward off the gypsy moth, spotted lanternfly and the Asian long-horned beetle, Tamm said.
From Los Angeles Times
Washington has had success over the past five decades in detecting and eradicating the pests — formerly known as gypsy moths.
From Seattle Times
Looking on were the usual suspects of Rio’s Carnival scene: revelers dressed as folkloric characters, jaguars, gypsies and ‘bate-bolas’ – exuberant clowns in identical, elaborate outfits who travel in packs.
From Seattle Times
"All he wanted was to be home with me and his pet kitty, Charley, playing his gypsy guitar."
From BBC
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.
