squaw

American  

[skwaw] / skwɔ /

noun

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

2. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

   1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a wife.

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

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squaw British  

/ skwɔː /

noun

1. offensive a North American Indian woman

2. slang a woman or wife

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Sensitive Note

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.

Etymology

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)

Explanation

Though you might see the word squaw in an old book, it's considered offensive nowadays — it's an outdated term for a Native American woman or wife. Squaw comes from the Algonquian word squa, meaning "woman." Anthropologists used to use this word in academic writing, and you might also come across it in 18th- and 19th-century novels. Because of its racist and sexist overtones, however, writers now avoid using the word squaw altogether. You’re better off using a neutral word such as "woman" or "wife."

Example Sentences

Suddenly, it was over, and the U.S. men joined their golden forebears from Lake Placid and Squaw Valley 1960.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

In 1959, Ross was invited to Squaw Valley to demonstrate to the National Ski Patrol that volunteer ski patrols could handle all of the first aid and avalanche work demanded by the upcoming 1960 Olympics.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2023

Squaw, which is derived from the Algonquin language, may once have simply meant “woman.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 17, 2022

This month, Magsig, 45, who moved to Squaw Valley from Orange County as a teenager, said he “sent 1,400 mailers to local households asking if they want a name change.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2022

Victor Gagnon felt that the stars were working in his best interests; and he blessed the lucky and innocent thought that had suggested to him the yarn of the White Squaw.

From In the Brooding Wild by Cullum, Ridgwell