Definition of GYPSY

gypsy

Meanings

Plural: gypsies

Noun

  • a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment
  • a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling; they are believed to have originated in northern India but now are living on all continents (but mostly in Europe, North Africa, and North America)
  • the Indic language of the Gypsies
  • Alternative form of Gypsy: a member of the Romani people.
  • An itinerant person or any person, not necessarily Romani; a tinker, a traveller or a carny.
  • A move in contra dancing in which two dancers walk in a circle around each other while maintaining eye contact (but not touching as in a swing). (Compare whole gyp, half gyp, and gypsy meltdown, in which this step precedes a swing.)
  • A member of a Broadway musical chorus line.
  • A person with a dark complexion.
  • A sly, roguish woman.
  • A fortune teller.

Adj

  • Alternative form of Gypsy: of or belonging to the Romani people.
  • Itinerant; of or having the qualities of an itinerant person or group.
  • Of or having the qualities of an itinerant person or group with qualities traditionally ascribed to Romani people; making a living from dishonest practices or theft etc.

Verb

  • To roam around the country like a gypsy.
  • To perform the gypsy step in contra dancing.

Origin / Etymology

See Gypsy. The generic usage that refers to any itinerant person.
Compare bohemian, from Bohemia.

Synonyms

Bohemian, gip, Gipsy, gipsy, gyp, gyre, itinerant, Roma, Romani, Romany, Rommany

Scrabble Score: 14

gypsy is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
gypsy is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
gypsy is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

gypsy is a valid Words With Friends word