noun
gypsy
JIHP-see
noun
1
A member of the Romani people, a traditionally travelling ethnic group.
"The festival featured traditional Romani, or gypsy, music and dance."
adj
1
Relating to a free-spirited, wandering lifestyle, used loosely and figuratively.
"She described her twenties as a gypsy period of moving from city to city."
How to Use Gypsy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTraditionally referring to the Romani people; also used loosely (and often considered insensitive) to describe a wandering lifestyle.
When to use it
Many consider this term offensive when applied to the Romani people; "Roma" or "Romani" is the preferred and respectful term.
Word Forms
gypsied past tense, Gypsies plural, gypsies singular
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The festival featured traditional Romani, or _____, music and dance.