Injun

[ in-juhn ]

/ ˈɪn dʒən /

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noun Older Use: Often Offensive.

American Indian; Native American.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of Injun

First recorded in 1660–70 as ingins (plural); pronunciation spelling of Indian, with assibilated d;cf. Cajun

usage note for Injun

Injun is an informal, nonstandard spelling of Indian. This pronunciation and variant spelling are associated with inauthentic, white representations of Native cultures and speakers. Now considered dated and often offensive, this variant form of Indian is best avoided, except when used to comment on inauthenticity of representation, as in the “Hollywood Injun English” dialogue written for Native characters in older Westerns. See also honest Injun.

Words nearby Injun

injection well, injector, injera, in-joke, injudicious, Injun, injunct, injunction, injure, injured list, injured reserve

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

How to use Injun in a sentence

"I've brought ye thet Injun I wuz tellin' ye uv," she said, with a wave of her hand toward Alessandro.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
But ef Jos keeps on, airnin' ez much ez he hez so fur, he's goin' ter pay the Injun part on 't, when he cums.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
So whilst we was eatin' breakfast I begins t' quiz, an', one way an' another, lets on I wanted t' see that Injun scout.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Mebby I'll perch on top o' the court-house, too, fer a spell, an' take a leetle fly out by the Injun school.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews

What's more, I s'pose he can't even see them Injun pony tracks around the body.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman

British Dictionary definitions for Injun

Injun

/ (ˈɪndʒən) /

noun

US an informal or dialect word for (American) Indian

honest Injun (interjection) slang genuinely; really

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