babu

noun

ba·​bu ˈbä-(ˌ)bü How to pronounce babu (audio)
variants or less commonly baboo
often attributive
1
: a Hindu gentleman
a form of address corresponding to Mr.
2
a
: an Indian clerk who writes English
b
often disparaging : an Indian person having some education in English

Word History

Etymology

Hindi bābū, literally, father

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of babu was in 1766

Dictionary Entries Near babu

Cite this Entry

“Babu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/babu. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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