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woke
/woʊk/
socially aware of racial and social injustices
She is very woke about issues of racial inequality.
She is highly aware of and actively supports causes related to racial inequality.
informal
aware of and actively opposed to social injustice, particularly racial and gender discrimination
The company's new policies show they're trying to be more woke.
The company's new policies demonstrate an effort to address social injustices.
Originally derived from the past tense of 'wake up,' it has evolved to describe heightened social awareness.
informal
used pejoratively to describe someone as overly sensitive or politically correct about social issues
Some critics accuse activists of being too woke.
Some critics argue that activists are overly sensitive or politically correct.
The term can be used both positively and negatively depending on the speaker's perspective.
Collocations
woke culturea cultural movement emphasizing social justice and equalitywoke upbecame aware of social injustices
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The term 'woke' can be used both positively and negatively, so pay attention to the context.
Gold Rule
Avoid Misuse
Be cautious when using 'woke' in formal settings, as it can be polarizing.
Word Origin
Derived from the past tense of 'wake up,' popularized in the 2010s to describe heightened social awareness.
Usage Notes
The term is often used in discussions about social justice, activism, and political correctness. Its meaning can vary depending on the context and the speaker's perspective.
Word Breakdown
woke
past tense of 'wake up,' metaphorically meaning to become aware
rootEnglish Dictionary