gook: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / AvoidedTaboo / Slang / Highly Derogatory
Quick answer
What does “gook” mean?
A highly offensive racial slur directed primarily at people of East Asian descent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly offensive racial slur directed primarily at people of East Asian descent.
Historically used as a derogatory term for any foreign person or enemy soldier, especially during wars in Asia.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in American military contexts. It is understood as a racist slur in both varieties but is perhaps more historically associated with U.S. military conflicts in Asia (Korea, Vietnam).
Connotations
Extremely racist and offensive in all contexts.
Frequency
Extremely rare in any acceptable usage. A word to be actively avoided and condemned.
Grammar
How to Use “gook” in a Sentence
Used as a noun, typically preceded by a determiner (the, a) or adjective.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only referenced in historical, sociological, or linguistic discussions of racial slurs and warfare.
Everyday
Never used. Its utterance would be a serious social transgression.
Technical
No technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gook”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gook”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gook”
- The primary mistake would be using it at all, or not understanding its extreme severity.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is never acceptable. It is a severe racial slur.
Its exact etymology is debated, but it became widely used as a derogatory term for East Asians by American military personnel during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
It is appropriate to challenge its use, explaining that it is a deeply offensive racist term.
Dictionaries record the language as it is used, including offensive terms, to inform people of their meaning and history so they can be avoided and understood in context when encountered.
A highly offensive racial slur directed primarily at people of East Asian descent.
Gook is usually taboo / slang / highly derogatory in register.
Gook: in British English it is pronounced /ɡʊk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡʊk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'This word is a LOOK you should never give and a BOOK you should never write.' Its sound is harsh and offensive, matching its meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Term dehumanises its target).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most important thing to know about the word 'gook'?