gypsy
gb/d͡ʒˈɪpsi/ us/d͡ʒˈɪpsi/
B2
English
roma, vándor, szabad szellem, bohém, romani, boho, vándorol
NOUN
B2
1
roma
A2
Usage pattern:
[a gypsy]; [Gypsy people/community]
Many style guides recommend using “Roma” or “Romani” instead of “gypsy,” because the older term can be offensive.
Sok nyelvi útmutató a „roma” vagy a „romani” használatát javasolja a „cigány” helyett, mert a régebbi megnevezés sértő lehet.
The museum worked with Romani community members to avoid stereotypical language such as “gypsy.”
A múzeum roma közösségek tagjaival dolgozott együtt, hogy elkerülje az olyan sztereotip nyelvezetet, mint a „cigány”.
She asked us to use “Romani,” not “gypsy,” when talking about her background.
Learner examples
Some people find the word “gypsy” offensive.
Vannak, akik sértőnek találják a „cigány” szót.
Many people say “Roma” or “Romani” instead.
Sokan inkább azt mondják, hogy „roma” vagy „romani”.
Common mistake:
Using it as a neutral label for Roma/Romani people; also confusing the spelling gypsy/gipsy.
Meaning
Romani person (often offensive term)
Collocations
Gypsy community
|Gypsy family
|Gypsy culture
|Gypsy and Traveller sites
|Gypsy Traveller
|Romani Gypsies (often avoided)
|Gypsy rights
|Gypsy history
Synonyms
Romani (Preferred and more respectful term.)
|
Roma (Common preferred term, especially in Europe.)
Themes
people
|culture
|society
Definition
a Romani person (but many people find this word offensive)
A person belonging to the Romani ethnic group; in modern English this word is often considered offensive, and many people prefer Roma or Romani.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
vándor
B1
Usage pattern:
[a gypsy]; [a gypsy life/lifestyle]
After college he drifted from job to job, calling himself a gypsy, though the label can sound stereotyped.
Az egyetem után egyik munkából sodródott a másikba, és „cigánynak” nevezte magát, bár ez a megjelölés sztereotipnek hangozhat.
She didn’t want to settle down and joked about living a gypsy life for a few years.
Nem akart letelepedni, és viccelődve azt mondta, hogy néhány évig „cigányéletet” fog élni.
The novel portrays its hero as a restless traveler, described as a “gypsy” in a romanticized way.
Learner examples
He travels a lot and never stays long.
Sokat utazik, és sehol sem marad sokáig.
Some people call that a “gypsy life,” but it can sound stereotyped.
Néhányan ezt „cigányéletnek” nevezik, de ez sztereotipnek hangozhat.
Common mistake:
Using it to describe real ethnic groups or communities; it can sound insulting or stereotyped.
Meaning
person living a nomadic life
Collocations
a gypsy life
|a gypsy lifestyle
|a gypsy existence
|a gypsy at heart
|a gypsy camp (stereotyped)
|a wandering gypsy (stereotyped)
Synonyms
nomad (More neutral; focuses on traveling lifestyle.)
|
wanderer (Emphasizes moving around; not tied to ethnicity.)
Antonyms
settler (Someone who lives permanently in one place.)
|
homebody (Someone who prefers staying at home.)
Themes
travel
|lifestyle
|society
Definition
someone who keeps traveling and does not live in one place (often a stereotype)
A person who travels from place to place and does not have a permanent home; this use is often romanticized or negative and can be offensive because it draws on stereotypes.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
3
bohém
B1
Usage pattern:
[be] a (bit of a) gypsy; [a] city gypsy
She’s a bit of a gypsy—she changes cities whenever she feels like it.
Kicsit szabad szellem: mindig akkor vált várost, amikor kedve tartja.
He described himself as a “gypsy” because he hates routine and loves meeting new people.
Azt mondta magáról, hogy „cigány”, mert utálja a rutint, és szeret új embereket megismerni.
They joked that their friend is a gypsy at heart, always looking for the next adventure.
Learner examples
She is a free spirit.
Ő szabad szellem.
He says he is a “gypsy” because he never stays in one place.
Azt mondja, „cigány”, mert sosem marad egy helyben.
Common mistake:
Using it as a compliment without realizing it may be culturally sensitive for some people.
Meaning
free-spirited, unconventional person
Collocations
a bit of a gypsy
|a gypsy at heart
|a real gypsy
|a city gypsy
|a modern gypsy
Synonyms
bohemian (Often used for an artistic, unconventional lifestyle.)
|
free spirit (More direct and generally safer wording.)
Antonyms
conformist (Someone who follows conventional rules and habits.)
|
homebody (Someone who prefers staying at home.)
Themes
personality
|lifestyle
|relationships
Definition
a free spirit who doesn’t like fixed routines
A person who lives freely and unconventionally, often moving between places or groups; this figurative use can still be criticized for relying on stereotypes.
C1
4
Usage pattern:
gypsy [culture/language/music]
The course focuses on Romani history rather than using the older label “gypsy.”
A kurzus a roma történelemre összpontosít, és nem a régebbi „cigány” megnevezést használja.
The exhibit includes Romani music and storytelling traditions that are sometimes described as “gypsy.”
A kiállítás roma zenét és történetmesélési hagyományokat mutat be, amelyeket néha „cigány”-ként emlegetnek.
She studies the Romani language, which older sources may call “Gypsy.”
Learner examples
It is better to say “Romani culture.”
Jobb azt mondani, hogy „roma kultúra”.
Common mistake:
Using it in formal writing where “Romani” is more appropriate; assuming it is always neutral.
Meaning
relating to Romani people
Collocations
Gypsy culture
|Gypsy language
|Gypsy music
|Gypsy traditions
|Gypsy communities
|Gypsy history
Synonyms
Romani (More current and generally preferred.)
Themes
culture
|language
|society
Definition
connected to Romani people (often better to say “Romani”)
Relating to the Romani people, their culture, or their languages; the term itself may be considered offensive, so Romani is often preferred.
B2
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
gypsy [style/look/skirt/dress]
She wore a long, gypsy-style skirt with boots.
Hosszú, bohém stílusú szoknyát viselt csizmával.
The photos had a relaxed, gypsy look—scarves, layers, and bright patterns.
A fotóknak laza, boho hangulatuk volt: sálak, rétegek és élénk minták.
Some brands now avoid “gypsy” in product names and use “boho” instead.
Learner examples
She likes boho clothes.
Szereti a boho ruhákat.
He bought a gypsy-style scarf.
Vett egy bohém stílusú sálat.
Common mistake:
Using it in marketing or fashion contexts without realizing it can be culturally sensitive for some people.
Meaning
bohemian or nomadic in style
Collocations
gypsy style
|gypsy look
|gypsy dress
|gypsy skirt
|gypsy blouse
|gypsy jewelry
|gypsy earrings
Synonyms
bohemian (More neutral and common in fashion contexts.)
|
boho (Very common informal short form in fashion.)
Antonyms
formal (Not casual or bohemian in style.)
|
conventional (Not unconventional or ‘boho’.)
Themes
fashion
|arts
|lifestyle
Definition
bohemian-looking; not formal
Describing a style that looks informal, colorful, or ‘bohemian,’ associated with travel and freedom; some people avoid this wording because it can draw on stereotypes.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
6
vándorol
B1
Usage pattern:
gypsy (around) [place/region]
They spent their twenties gypsying around the country in a van.
A húszas éveikben egy furgonnal járták az országot, egyik helyről a másikra vándorolva.
After the breakup, he gypsied from job to job for a while.
A szakítás után egy ideig egyik munkából a másikba vándorolt.
She joked that she had been gypsying around Europe all summer.
Learner examples
We traveled around for months.
Hónapokig utazgattunk egyik helyről a másikra.
Common mistake:
Overusing it instead of common verbs like travel, move around, or backpack.
Meaning
travel around from place to place
Collocations
gypsy around
|gypsy through Europe
|gypsy up and down the coast
|gypsy from town to town
Synonyms
roam (Common and neutral.)
|
wander (Common and neutral; emphasizes no fixed route.)
Antonyms
settle (To start living permanently in one place.)
|
stay put (To remain in the same place.)
Themes
travel
|lifestyle
Definition
to travel and live in different places (not common)
To travel from place to place, living in a wandering way; this verb is uncommon and can sound dated.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gypsy
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈɪpsi/
US/d͡ʒˈɪpsi/
Syllables & stress
gypsy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gypsy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gypsy
- Plural: gypsies
Word family
Forms
gypsies
noun
Related words
romani
noun
roma
noun
Expressions
gypsy cab
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi kˈæb/
fixed phrase
informal
unlicensed taxi
an illegal or unofficial taxi
Examples
- We couldn’t get a taxi, so someone offered us a gypsy cab outside the station.
- The city warned visitors not to use gypsy cabs at the airport.
- He was fined for operating a gypsy cab without a license.
Learner examples
- Don’t take a gypsy cab.
- Use a licensed taxi instead.
gypsy caravan
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi kˈɛɹəvˌæn/
fixed phrase
traditional traveler wagon
a traditional wagon used for traveling and living
Examples
- The film featured a brightly painted gypsy caravan in the background.
- The museum restored an old gypsy caravan and displayed it with historical notes.
- They rented a wagon-style cabin marketed as a “gypsy caravan,” though some people prefer different wording.
Learner examples
- We saw a decorated caravan.
gypsy jazz
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi d͡ʒˈæz/
fixed phrase
Django-style swing jazz
a kind of jazz with acoustic guitars
Examples
- They played gypsy jazz in a small club downtown.
- Her playlist is full of gypsy jazz guitar solos.
- The festival included a gypsy jazz workshop for beginners.
Learner examples
- I like gypsy jazz.
- He plays gypsy jazz guitar.
gypsy moth
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi mˈɔθ/
fixed phrase
technical
invasive moth species
a moth whose caterpillars harm trees
Examples
- The forestry department monitored gypsy moth outbreaks in the region.
- Gypsy moth caterpillars can strip leaves from large areas of woodland.
- Many agencies now use the name “spongy moth” instead of “gypsy moth.”
Learner examples
- The caterpillars can harm trees.
gypsy skirt
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi skˈɚt/
fixed phrase
long full boho skirt
a long, wide skirt in a boho style
Examples
- She wore a gypsy skirt with a simple white T-shirt.
- The shop used to sell “gypsy skirts,” but now labels them “boho maxi skirts.”
- I’m looking for a long, flowy skirt—something like a gypsy skirt.
Learner examples
- She bought a long skirt.
gypsy taxi
1/d͡ʒˈɪpsi tˈæksi/
fixed phrase
informal
unlicensed taxi service
an illegal or unofficial taxi
Examples
- The council ran a campaign against gypsy taxis operating late at night.
- He offered to drive us home like a gypsy taxi, but we declined.
- Police stopped several gypsy taxis near the stadium.
Learner examples
- We used a licensed taxi, not a gypsy taxi.