What does "wigwam" mean?
A dwelling having an arched framework overlaid with bark, hides, or mats, used by Native Americans in the northeastern United States.
Wigwam
/ˈwɪɡwɑːm/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A dwelling having an arched framework overlaid with bark, hides, or mats, used by Native Americans in the northeastern United States.
- Grammar: wigwam is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: camp shelter, hut, igloo, lodge.
- Useful contrasts: apartment, house, mansion.
- Usage evidence: Their houſes or wigwams, which they call carbets, are built as I have already deſcribed thoſe of the negroes; but inſtead of being covered with the leaves of the manicole-tree, they are covered with the leaves of rattans or jointed canes, here called tas, which grow in cluſters in all marſhy places: [...]
How to use "wigwam"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "wigwam" 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 "wigwam" 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 "wigwam" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "wigwam" 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 "wigwam" is acting as noun, verb 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 "camp shelter" 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 "wigwam", 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 dwelling having an arched framework overlaid with bark, hides, or mats, used by Native Americans in the northeastern United States.
- 2 a Native American lodge frequently having an oval shape and covered with bark or hides wordnet
- 3 Any more or less similar dwelling used by indigenous people in other parts of the world. dated, possibly
"Their houſes or wigwams, which they call carbets, are built as I have already deſcribed thoſe of the negroes; but inſtead of being covered with the leaves of the manicole-tree, they are covered with the leaves of rattans or jointed canes, here called tas, which grow in cluſters in all marſhy places: [...]"
Verb
- 1 To dry (flax or straw) by standing it outside in the shape of a wigwam. transitive
Example
"Their houſes or wigwams, which they call carbets, are built as I have already deſcribed thoſe of the negroes; but inſtead of being covered with the leaves of the manicole-tree, they are covered with the leaves of rattans or jointed canes, here called tas, which grow in cluſters in all marſhy places: [...]"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "wigwam"?
Common synonyms include: camp shelter, hut, igloo, lodge, shelter, tent.
How do you use "wigwam" in a sentence?
Their houſes or wigwams, which they call carbets, are built as I have already deſcribed thoſe of the negroes; but inſtead of being covered with the leaves of the manicole-tree, they are covered with the leaves of rattans or jointed canes, here called tas, which grow in cluſters in all marſhy places: [...]
How do you pronounce "wigwam"?
Pronounced /ˈwɪɡwɑːm/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Abenaki wigwôm (“house”) or Penobscot wigwom (“house”), from Proto-Algonquian *wi·kiwa·ʔmi (“house”). Doublet of wickiup.