What does "jap" mean?
A Japanese person.
Jap
/d͡ʒæp/ adj, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A Japanese person.
- Grammar: jap is listed as adj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: nip, japanese.
- Usage evidence: He petered out under Pitty's savage look: Do you speak Jap? Do you understand the world from inside those bastards' slanty-eyed little head-lopping poem-writing minds?
How to use "jap"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "jap" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "jap" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "jap" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "jap" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "jap" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "nip" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "jap", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A Japanese person. US, derogatory, ethnic, slur
"Among our Japs on board are two returning from Italy, where they have been with silk-worms' eggs, on cards, to sell. This has become a great speculation, and the Japs are going into it with zeal. The Japs almost always—always when they can—take cabin passages ; the Chinese seldom, or never."
- 2 Initialism of Jewish-American/Jewish-Australian princess: overly materialistic and selfish young Jewish American or Australian woman. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
"Eww, you've got to check out her creepy friends.. It's like these JAP actress sluts and some American Gladiators reject lunkhead!"
- 3 (offensive slang) offensive term for a person of Japanese descent wordnet
- 4 An Imperial Japanese Army soldier. US, derogatory, historical
"The Japs had been confident that this first and sudden land grab could be accomplished without their becoming involved in a major war, and they were right."
- 5 Initialism of Jewish-American/Jewish-Australian prince: overly materialistic and selfish young Jewish American or Australian man. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
Verb
- 1 Alternative letter-case form of jap. alt-of
- 2 To carry out a sneak attack upon (something or somebody). Canada, US, ethnic, slang, slur, transitive
- 3 (of a liquid) To spatter or splash over a surface. Northern-Ireland, Scotland, transitive
"[…] the yelp of the girl as the hot water japped her legs. I The big fellow bore me across the kitchen."
Adjective
- 1 Japanese; of or pertaining to Japan or its people. derogatory, ethnic, not-comparable, slur
"A soldier might grab his rifle and batter his way to the heart of some Jap position. Back home they gave him all sorts of medals but his companions dismissed him as the poor bastard who finally went Asiatic."
Proper Noun
- 1 The Japanese language. dated, ethnic, offensive, slang, slur
"He petered out under Pitty's savage look: Do you speak Jap? Do you understand the world from inside those bastards' slanty-eyed little head-lopping poem-writing minds?"
- 2 Clipping of Japanese. Australia, Hong-Kong, Singapore, abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, informal
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"He petered out under Pitty's savage look: Do you speak Jap? Do you understand the world from inside those bastards' slanty-eyed little head-lopping poem-writing minds?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "jap"?
Common synonyms include: nip, japanese.
How do you use "jap" in a sentence?
He petered out under Pitty's savage look: Do you speak Jap? Do you understand the world from inside those bastards' slanty-eyed little head-lopping poem-writing minds?
How do you pronounce "jap"?
Pronounced /d͡ʒæp/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Clipping of Japanese, attested as a noun since 1872, and adjectivally since 1878. Compare Nip (shortened from Nipponese).
Etymology 2
Shortening of Japanese, in reference to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
Etymology 3
From or related to Scots jaup, jap (“of liquid: dash, splash”).