shiksa

noun

shik·​sa ˈshik-sə How to pronounce shiksa (audio)
variants or shikse
1
often disparaging : a non-Jewish girl or woman
2
: a Jewish girl or woman who does not observe Jewish precepts
used especially by Orthodox Jews

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish shikse, feminine of sheygets non-Jewish boy, from Hebrew sheqeṣ blemish, abomination

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shiksa was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near shiksa

Cite this Entry

“Shiksa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shiksa. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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