Anasazi

noun

An·​a·​sa·​zi ˌä-nə-ˈsä-zē 

plural Anasazi

see usage paragraph below

: a member of a group of prehistoric Indigenous peoples of the canyons of northern Arizona and New Mexico and southwestern Colorado : ancestral puebloan

Usage of Anasazi, Ancestral Pueblo, and Ancestral Puebloan

The English word Anasazi comes from a Navajo word meaning "enemy ancestors." Due to this association, Anasazi is now often considered an inappropriate or disrespectful name for a member of these prehistoric peoples or (when used in the plural) for the peoples referred to as a group. The terms Ancestral Pueblo and Ancestral Puebloan are often used as alternative names for the peoples and for an individual member of these peoples, respectively.

Examples of Anasazi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Amenities and experiences The name Anasazi refers to the Native American civilization that once inhabited the Four Corners region, renowned for their cliff dwellings and recognized as the ancestors of today's Pueblo peoples. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026

The petroglyphs span the entire period people have been known to inhabit the Four Corners region, with markings by Anasazi, Pueblo, Ute and Navajo peoples, depicting handprints, hunters, human figures and animals. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026

Visitors will not be faulted for following up their time at the International Folk Art Museum with a tequila or mezcal flight at the Anasazi Bar & Lounge inside the spectacular Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi hotel in Santa Fe to take the edge off. — Chadd Scott, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

Interestingly, these events appear to coincide with the start of a major exodus, with the Anasazi people who had lived in the region abandoning their settlements and leaving the area. — Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Navajo anaasází, literally, enemy ancestors

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Anasazi

• jazzy