Inuit

American  

[in-oo-it, -yoo-] / ˈɪn u ɪt, -yu- /

Or Innuit

noun

plural

Inuits,

plural

Inuit

1. a member of a group of Indigenous peoples inhabiting northernmost North America from northern Alaska to eastern Canada and Greenland.

2. the language of the Inuit, a member of the Eskimo-Aleut family comprising a variety of dialects.

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Inuit British  

/ ˈɪnjuːɪt /

noun

1. any of several Native peoples of N America or Greenland, as distinguished from those from Asia or the Aleutian Islands (who are still generally referred to as Eskimos); the preferred term for Eskimo in N America Compare Yupik

2. the language of these peoples; Inuktitut

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Sensitive Note

See Eskimo, Indian.

Etymology

Origin of Inuit

First recorded in 1755–65; from Inuit: literally, “people,” plural of inuk “person”

Compare meaning

How does inuit compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Eskimo vs. Inuit

Example Sentences

Chemnitz met with AFP for an interview at the Nuuk cultural centre, where exhibits highlighted Inuit culture and the role of women in Greenlandic society in honour of International Women's Day on March 8.

From Barron's

Though Elisha had no way of knowing, another explorer learned from a group of the Arctic’s Inuit people that Sir Franklin had died years back.

From Literature

The notion of private property is alien to Inuit culture, characterised by communal sharing and a deep connection to the land.

From Barron's

Inuit in Canada also share a strong bond with Greenlandic Inuit – a bond underscored by Governor General Simon's own Inuk roots.

From BBC

The Arctic territory's Inuit culture also helped, said Kleist.

From Barron's