squaw

[ skwaw ]

/ skwɔ /

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noun

Older Use: Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a North American Indian woman, especially a wife.

Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

a contemptuous term used to refer to a wife.
a contemptuous term used to refer to any woman or girl.

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Origin of squaw

An Americanism dating back to 1625–35; from Massachusett (English spelling) squa, ussqua “woman, younger woman,” from Proto-Algonquian eθkwe·wa (unattested)

usage note for squaw

It can be very offensive when members of the dominant culture appropriate piecemeal bits of language to imitate or perform impressions of an ethnic or racial minority. Borrowed words like firewater, squaw, and wigwam, or imitative words like how were once used for comedic effect, but they are now considered insensitive to Native Americans and their cultures.

Words nearby squaw

squatter's right, squat thrust, squattocracy, squatty, Squauwmish, squaw, squawbush, squawfish, squaw huckleberry, squawk, squawk box

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use squaw in a sentence

It was another hour to get to Squaw at that time, on a tough road.
Olympians Dish on Their Favorite Spots to Ski & Snowboard|The Daily Beast|October 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“There are lots of hard-core skiers at Squaw, and KT-22 is their territory,” Jonny continued.
Olympians Dish on Their Favorite Spots to Ski & Snowboard|The Daily Beast|October 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Season: Squaw generally opens on Thanksgiving and remains in operation through the end of April.
Olympians Dish on Their Favorite Spots to Ski & Snowboard|The Daily Beast|October 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Any discussion of Squaw Valley will eventually shift to KT-22 and its environs—“the Mothership,” in local parlance.
Olympians Dish on Their Favorite Spots to Ski & Snowboard|The Daily Beast|October 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Growing up, my nicknames were “Squaw Bitch” and “Indian Nose” due to my part Native American heritage.
Your Puffy-Face Moments, Inspired by Ashley Judd||April 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At this the chief laughed and said, "Tonka Squaw" meaning brave woman and they left.
Old Rail Fence Corners|Various
This occasioned great mirth among the rest of the Indians who all exclaimed, "Tonka Squaw" and looked at her admiringly.
Old Rail Fence Corners|Various
It is said that the Squaw camped there while her hunter husband went further up the slopes for his game.
Mount Rainier|Various
The chain and tackle also simplified the work for Hepsy, but we cant say as much of the hauling an Indian Squaw has to do.
Girl Scouts at Dandelion Camp|Lillian Elizabeth Roy
"Squaw—papoose—sick," he added, as a last appeal to sympathy.
Told In The Hills|Marah Ellis Ryan

British Dictionary definitions for squaw

squaw

/ (skwɔː) /

noun

offensive a North American Indian woman

slang, usually facetious a woman or wife

Word Origin for squaw

C17: of Algonquian origin; compare Natick squa female creature

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