Jewish

UK: ˈdʒuː.ɪʃ | US: ˈdʒuː.ɪʃ

Definition

  1. adj. relating to Judaism, its people, or their culture

  2. n. (rare) a Jewish person (often plural: the Jewish)

Structure
Jew <from *Judah*, a Hebrew tribe/kingdom>ish <adjective suffix denoting origin/characteristic>
Etymology

The word Jewish derives from Jew, which traces back to the Hebrew Yehudi (from Yehudah, the tribe/kingdom of Judah). The suffix -ish (Old English -isc) was added to form an adjective meaning "of or pertaining to." Historically, Jew entered English via Old French (giu) and Latin (Iudaeus), reflecting the diaspora’s linguistic influence. The term evolved from a tribal/geographic identifier (Judahite) to a broader ethnic and religious descriptor.

Examples

  1. She celebrates both Jewish and secular holidays.

  2. The museum exhibits Jewish artifacts from the 18th century.

  3. His family follows Jewish traditions.

  4. Jewish communities thrived in medieval Spain.

  5. The book explores Jewish philosophy.