What does "jew" mean?
An adherent of Judaism.
Jew
/d͡ʒuː/ adj, name, noun, phrase, verb, slang
adj, name, noun, phrase, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An adherent of Judaism.
- Grammar: jew is listed as adj, name, noun, phrase, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: israelite, bilk, cheat, christian sectarians.
- Useful contrasts: be fair, fair dealing, gentile.
- Usage evidence: Then an argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew about purification.
How to use "jew"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "jew" 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 "jew" 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 "jew" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "jew" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- 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 "jew" is acting as adj, name, noun, phrase, 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 "israelite" 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.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "jew", 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 An adherent of Judaism.
"Both Jews and Muslims refrain from eating pork."
- 2 The jewfish. Australia
"The creeks gave us lots of food, too—yellow belly and jew, perch and eel."
- 3 a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties wordnet
- 4 A member or descendant of the Jewish people.
"Many Jews eat bagels."
- 5 Alternative letter-case form of Jew (“a Jewish person”). alt-of, offensive
"It is jews behind the campaign to destroy it, admits WND house jew. Just as we WN have said all along."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A miserly or greedy person; a cheapskate. derogatory
"“Jesus, Williams, you're such a Jew,” Jimmy said in an annoyed, high-pitched tone. “Have you ever just paid a check, or do you always make an ass of yourself?”"
- 7 A ship's tailor. slang
Verb
- 1 To make (more) Jewish. offensive, transitive
"1991, E. Sicher, The Jewing of Skylock: Wesker's "The Merchant" (MLS 21 (1991), 57–69)"
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of Jew. alt-of, offensive
"'You're jewing me on the price, right? Well get this and get it good, I don't get jewed. Not by anybody.' Dan, who had lost the toss and taken the call, wished John a Merry Christmas. The advent of Christmas compounded their problems."
- 3 To haggle or swindle in order to obtain a better deal (from someone). ambitransitive, offensive
"They stops you on the sly in the streets, and tells you to call at their house at sitch a hour of the day, and when you goes there they smuggles you quietly into some room by yourselves, and then sets to work Jewing away as hard as they can, prizing up their own things, and downcrying yourn."
Adjective
- 1 Jewish. derogatory, offensive, slang
"Whenever a Jew nose casts its sinister shadow over the register, the hotel-keeper suddenly discovers that his hostelry is full to overflowing, and profoundly, but firmly, regrets his inability to receive any more guests."
Phrase
- 1 Pronunciation spelling of d' you, representing colloquial English. alt-of, pronunciation-spelling
- 2 Pronunciation spelling of 'd you, representing colloquial English. alt-of, pronunciation-spelling
"How jew do that? ("How'd you do that?")"
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Then an argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew about purification."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "jew"?
Common synonyms include: israelite, bilk, cheat, christian sectarians, defraud, ethnic jew.
How do you use "jew" in a sentence?
Then an argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew about purification.
How do you pronounce "jew"?
Pronounced /d͡ʒuː/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English Jew, Giu, Giw, Ju, from Old French juiu, Giu, gyu, from Latin iūdaeus (“Judean (i.e. Jew)”), from Ancient Greek Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos), from Ἰουδά (Ioudá), Ἰούδας (Ioúdas, “Judah, Judas, Jude”) + -ιος (-ios, suffix forming adjectives), from Biblical Hebrew יְהוּדָה (y'hudá, “male given name, Yehuda; Judah, Judea”). Doublet of Yid. Displaced Old English Iūdēisċ.
Etymology 2
Transferred use of Jew.