Looking up...
Karen
/ˈkɛərən/
a middle-aged white woman perceived as entitled or demanding
The Karen at the store demanded to speak to the manager about the store's mask policy.
A woman who was perceived as entitled and confrontational about the store's rules.
informalslang
a stereotypical middle-aged white woman who is perceived as entitled, demanding, and often confrontational in public settings
The Karen in the parking lot yelled at the teenager for parking too close to her car.
A woman who was perceived as overly aggressive and entitled in a minor dispute.
He called her a Karen after she insisted on speaking to the manager about a minor issue.
Labeling someone as a Karen implies they are being overly demanding or entitled.
The term is often used to describe women who exhibit entitled or aggressive behavior in public, though it is considered a stereotype and can be seen as derogatory.
Collocations
Karen momenta situation where someone behaves like a KarenKaren haircuta short, layered hairstyle often associated with the stereotype
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid offensive usage
The term can be seen as derogatory, so use it cautiously and be aware of its potential to offend.
Gold Rule
Context matters
The term is most commonly used in informal or online contexts to describe a specific stereotype.
Word Origin
The term originated in the early 2000s as an internet meme and stereotype, popularized by social media and viral videos of women behaving in entitled or aggressive ways.
Usage Notes
The term is often used in a derogatory or mocking manner and can be seen as offensive. It is primarily used in informal or online contexts.
English Dictionary