Apache

noun

ə-ˈpa-chē 

in sense 3

ə-ˈpash 

plural Apache or Apaches ə-ˈpa-chēz 

-ˈpash, 

-ˈpa-shəz

1

: a member of a group of Indigenous peoples of the southwestern U.S.

2

: any of the Athabascan languages of the Apache people

3

apache [French, from Apache "Apache"]

a

: a member of a gang of criminals especially in Paris

b

: ruffian

Apachean

ə-ˈpa-chē-ən 

adjective or noun

Examples of Apache in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Veneno, a member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, was convicted of domestic assault on another member of the tribe. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

The Western Apache were mainly foragers and hunters, Roos said. —Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 9 Nov. 2025

The film’s conclusion argues that Apache integration into white society is key for a permanent peace, and reinforces a belief that Native Americans must adopt Anglo values to survive, according to Aleiss. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025

She was found dismembered in trash bags near the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation a month later. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, perhaps from Zuni ʔa·paču Navajo, Apachean

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Apache

• catchy
• patchy
• scratchy
• malachi

Kids Definition

Apache

noun

ə-ˈpach-ē 

plural Apache or Apaches

: a member of a group of Indigenous peoples of the southwestern U.S.

also : any of the languages of the Apache people