negro
UK: ˈniːɡrəʊ | US: ˈniːɡroʊ
n. (now offensive) A term historically used to refer to a Black person, especially of African descent.
The word "negro" derives from Spanish and Portuguese negro (meaning "black"), which in turn comes from Latin niger (black). It entered English in the 16th century through colonial and trade contexts. Initially neutral, the term became associated with racial oppression and slavery, leading to its decline in modern usage due to its offensive connotations. The morpheme negr- preserves the Latin root for "black," while -o is a common noun-ending in Romance languages.
The term "negro" was widely used in historical documents but is now considered outdated and offensive.
Early 20th-century literature often employed the word "negro" to describe African American communities.
Modern language guidelines discourage the use of "negro" in favor of terms like "Black" or "African American."
Scholars study the evolution of racial terminology, including the shift away from "negro."
The UN officially dropped "negro" from its classifications in the 1960s due to its negative associations.