redskin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (contemporary use); High (historical use)Taboo, Offensive, Historical
Quick answer
What does “redskin” mean?
A dated, offensive term for a Native American.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dated, offensive term for a Native American.
Almost exclusively used historically, in literature, or as an example of a racial slur. It is widely considered pejorative and racist.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated and is primarily associated with North America. In British English, it is recognized as a highly offensive Americanism. In American English, it is at the centre of contemporary social and political debates, particularly regarding sports team names.
Connotations
Strongly negative and offensive in both variants. In the US, its use is directly tied to the history of colonialism and violence against Indigenous peoples.
Frequency
Extremely rare in current British usage outside of academic or historical discussion. In the US, it is almost exclusively encountered in contentious debates about naming or in historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “redskin” in a Sentence
[Pejorative term] for + [Native American/First Nations person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “redskin” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The museum had a section on the now-discontinued use of 'redskin' imagery in British comics.
American English
- The debate over the former 'Redskins' team name dominated sports news for years.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used, except in discussions of brand naming controversies.
Academic
Used only in historical, linguistic, or critical race studies to analyse the term as a slur.
Everyday
Avoided due to its offensive nature. Its use would be considered highly inappropriate.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “redskin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “redskin”
- Using it as a neutral or historical descriptor without understanding its deeply offensive contemporary status.
- Translating it directly from similar-sounding words in other languages.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is widely recognized as a deeply offensive racial slur. Its use is appropriate only in very specific academic contexts analysing the term itself, not the people it describes.
Use specific, respectful terms like 'Native American,' 'American Indian' (though some prefer one over the other), 'Indigenous person,' or the name of the specific nation (e.g., 'Navajo,' 'Cherokee').
It reduces a diverse group of people to a single, stereotyped physical characteristic (skin colour), has a long history of use in contexts of violence and discrimination, and is felt by many to be dehumanising.
No. Its presence in historical media reflects the prejudices of the past. Understanding its historical use is different from adopting it in contemporary speech. You should understand it as an example of outdated, offensive language.
A dated, offensive term for a Native American.
Redskin is usually taboo, offensive, historical in register.
Redskin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛdˌskɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛdˌskɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DO NOT use this term. Remember: The 'red' refers to a racial stereotype about skin colour; 'skin' reduces a person to a physical characteristic. It is widely condemned.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSON IS A COLOURED OBJECT (a dehumanising metaphor).
Practice
Quiz
In which context might the word 'redskin' be acceptably used by a language learner?