Cajun

American  

[key-juhn] / ˈkeɪ dʒən /

Sometimes Cajan

noun

• Cajuns
  plural

1. a member of a group of people with an enduring cultural tradition whose French Catholic ancestors established permanent communities in Louisiana and Maine after being expelled from Acadia in the late 18th century.

2. the French dialect of the Cajuns.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Cajuns, especially those of Louisiana.

   Cajun cooking.

Cajun British  

/ ˈkeɪdʒən /

noun

1. a native of Louisiana descended from 18th-century Acadian immigrants

2. the dialect of French spoken by such people

3. the music of this ethnic group, combining blues and European folk music

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adjective

1. denoting, relating to, or characteristic of such people, their language, or their music

Cajun Cultural  

1. A native of Louisiana believed to be descended from the French exiles from Acadia (see Nova Scotia). Cajuns have maintained a separate culture, including a special dialect and distinctive cooking style.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Cajuns
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Cajun

First recorded in 1865–70; shortening of Acadian; compare Injun for Indian

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Cajun Cajuns

Additional 2- and 4-ounce sides of Cajun barbecue chicken, jerk chicken and suya beef can be added for $2 and $4.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

He boasts of achieving a seventh-degree black belt in Keichu-do karate, a Cajun hodgepodge martial art developed by his biological father, Karl.

From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2026

Taylor then signed for another major label as frontman of a band called Cajun Moon.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

When you add the Cajun seasoning, bloom it there — in the heat, in the fat — so it opens fully.

From Salon ● Apr. 7, 2026

I don’t speak Cajun, but I’ve been around enough of Grandma’s friends to pick up a few words and expressions.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Louisiana: The Ragin’ Cajuns were sharp in the first half, so consistency is a concern.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 30, 2023

The Ragin’ Cajuns went in averaging 38.8 points per game, but got only a 52-yard run by Jacob Kibodi for second-half points.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 30, 2023

The Ragin’ Cajuns made six of seven field goals over a nearly-five-minute span to surely make Tennessee nervous.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 17, 2023

Louisiana-Lafayette: The Ragin Cajuns remain in-state to open the 2023 season as they will host another Louisiana school, Northwestern State, on Sept. 2.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 23, 2022

There lives my old friend Doctor St. Martin, a gentle, learned man, a Cajun who has lifted babies and cured colic among the shell- heap Cajuns for miles around.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck