Karen

1 of 2

noun (1)

Ka·​ren kə-ˈren 

plural Karen or Karens

1

: a member of a group of peoples of eastern and southern Myanmar

2

a

: a group of languages spoken by the Karen peoples

b

: a language of this group

Karen

2 of 2

noun (2)

Kar·​en ˈker-ən 

variants or less commonly karen

plural Karens also karens

slang, disparaging + sometimes offensive

: a usually middle-aged white woman who aggressively confronts people (such as store or restaurant employees) and/or demands the support of an authority figure (such as a manager or the police) to address actions or behaviors she believes are improper

… none of this is the fault of the overworked, underpaid workers desperately trying to make a living while being yelled at by Karens for coughing or not smiling enough.

—Zack Zwiezen

… Karens have ruined barbecues, shut down kids' sidewalk candy sales, and tried to criminalize people for going about their business. … No wonder friends earnestly began wondering if I should start using my middle name.

—Karen Valby

A "Karen-themed" Halloween scarecrow display, featuring a figure with a "can I speak to the manager" T-shirt, was removed after Karens complained.

—Leigh McManus

Portrayals of angry white women are more recently mostly focused on "Karens," entitled types who vent their racism and rage by calling in managers and cops to police what they believe is other people's problematic behavior.

—Kaya Oakes

also : a person other than a white woman who behaves in this way

The way he barks at his neighbors and badgers employees at the local hardware store doesn't make him a stickler for the rules as much as it makes him a Karen.

—Adam Graham

Note: This term originated in African American English and has since become widespread.

compare becky

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Slang Meaning of Karen

Karen is now used as an insulting term for a privileged, indignant, or discriminatory woman. Learn more >

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

from the female given name Karen

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 2018, in the meaning defined above