cultural appropriation

noun

: the adoption of cultural elements (such as clothing, customs, or hairstyles) of a group (usually a minority culture) by members of another group (usually a dominant culture) in a way that is exploitative, disrespectful, or stereotypical

Concerns over the cultural appropriation of a Native American sun symbol have led Madison [Wisconsin] officials to consider redesigning the city's flag, Mayor Paul Soglin said.

—Lexy Brodt

That's why cultural appropriation is so detrimental. It is giving us the message that we stole this from you, you can't have it anymore, but we are going to take it and profit off of it.

—Korina Emmerich, quoted in Rocky Mountain Collegian

Britain's Best Knitter sparked a 'cultural appropriation' row last week over its 'misrepresentation' of Fair Isle patterns in its first episode.

—Claire Elliot

Examples of cultural appropriation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of Batista’s answer-backs essentially accused Rosa of cultural appropriation. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026

To me, based on this definition, saying namaste at the end of a yoga practice does not warrant the red flag of cultural appropriation. — Jeremy David Engels, The Conversation, 23 June 2026

Throughout his career, Diplo has faced frequent accusations of cultural appropriation. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026

Segregation, cultural appropriation, and racial bias—sometimes intentional, sometimes more systemic—have been a constant. — Marina Harss, New Yorker, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cultural appropriation

• americanization
• anticoagulation
• antidiscrimination
• bioaccumulation
• bioremediation
• compartmentalization
• contextualization
• copolymerization
• decriminalization
• dehumidification
• demilitarization
• demineralization