jewish

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'Jewish' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used as an adjective to refer to anything related to people of Jewish heritage or to the Jewish faith and culture, for example, "the Jewish community in our neighborhood".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Directed and written by Paul Morrison, it is the story of a Jewish door-to-door salesman who falls in love with a good chapel girl, and is told in Welsh, Yiddish and English.

The Guardian - Film

Then there is the question of Miliband's complex relationship with the British Jewish community.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet there has been strong criticism of Miliband by some members of the Jewish community for his stance on Israel and, in particular, for backing a vote to recognise a Palestinian state last autumn.

The Guardian - Opinion

As I reported in the London Evening Standard last week, the prime minister spoke recently at a fund-raising dinner for Norwood, a leading Jewish charity of which Desmond is the president.

The Guardian

Inglourious Basterds ultimately proved less than controversial because Tarantino was intelligent enough to eschew shots of Holocaust victims in favour of scenes featuring tough Jewish blokes making mincemeat of a cavalcade of cartoonish Nazi scumbags.

The Guardian - Film

Born and bred in the city's old Jewish quarter of Cheetham Hill, he went to the tough Ducie High School and began work in Manchester town hall with nothing more in his pocket than a London University external degree.

The Guardian

The example most often cited is Mohamed Merah, the French-Algerian who killed three soldiers as well as three Jewish schoolchildren and a teacher last March.

The Guardian

The destructive orgy that ensued left at least 91 Jews murdered, 30,000 arrested, and more than 7,000 Jewish businesses destroyed or damaged over the 9 and 10 of November 1938 in co-ordinated attacks against Jews in Germany and Austria.

The Guardian

As soon as the butcher, who was not Jewish, found out why they wanted the weights, he told them, "in no uncertain terms, to fuck off".

The Guardian

"Growing up in the Jewish faith … you learn a lot about individual setbacks.

The Guardian

But Palestinian officials are dismissive of the argument, saying there is no peace process to speak of and that Israel has done little to enhance Abbas's credibility by continuing to expand Jewish settlements and treating him with contempt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "Jewish", be mindful of the context and ensure it is relevant and respectful. Avoid generalizations and stereotypes.

Common error

Avoid using "Jewish" when referring to Israeli nationality, as it conflates religion with nationality. Instead, specify "Israeli citizen" or "Jewish Israeli" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "Jewish" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a connection to the Jewish people, religion, or culture. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage, confirming its role in describing various aspects related to Judaism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "Jewish" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting affiliation with the Jewish people, religion, or culture. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It is a very common term, predominantly found in news and media contexts. When using "Jewish", it's crucial to be mindful of the context, avoiding generalizations and stereotypes and be aware that using "Jewish" when referring to Israeli nationality is inaccurate. Alternatives like "Hebrew", "Israelite", or "Judaic" can offer more precise meaning depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Culturally Jewish

Focuses on cultural identity rather than religious observance.

Of Jewish descent

Specifies ancestry rather than current religious or cultural affiliation.

Of Jewish heritage

Highlights the ancestral and historical connection.

From a Jewish background

Indicates origin and upbringing.

Relating to Judaism

Focuses specifically on the religious aspects.

Of the Jewish faith

Highlights the religious belief system.

Adhering to Jewish traditions

Stresses adherence to cultural and religious practices.

Hebrew

Refers more specifically to the language or ancient Israelite heritage.

Israelite

Emphasizes historical lineage.

Judaic

More formal and academic term.

FAQs

How is "Jewish" used in a sentence?

You can use "Jewish" as an adjective to describe someone's religion or cultural background, such as "a Jewish holiday" or "a Jewish community".

What is the difference between "Jewish" and "Israeli"?

"Jewish" refers to a religion and culture, while "Israeli" refers to nationality. Not all Israelis are Jewish, and not all Jewish people are Israeli.

What words are similar to "Jewish"?

Alternatives include "Hebrew", "Israelite", or "Judaic", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "Jewish"?

It's appropriate when discussing religion, culture, heritage, or anything specifically related to Jewish people, communities, or traditions. Always ensure it's relevant and respectful.