Inuit
noun
Note: In Canada, the name Inuit refers to one of three major, legally recognized groups of aboriginal peoples, the other two being the First Nations and the Métis.
see also inuk
Usage of Eskimo and Inuit
Eskimo is a word that presents challenges for anyone who is concerned about avoiding the use of offensive language. Its offensiveness stems partly from a now-discredited belief that it was originally a pejorative term meaning "eater of raw flesh," but perhaps more significantly from its being a word imposed on aboriginal peoples by outsiders. It has long been considered a word to be avoided in Canada, where native people refer to themselves as Inuit, a word that means "people" in their language. But not all the native people who are referred to as Eskimos are Inuit. Eskimo has no exact synonym; it has a general meaning that encompasses a number of indigenous peoples, and it continues for now in widespread use in many parts of the English-speaking world.
Examples of Inuit in a Sentence
Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025
The costumes, courtesy of designers Debra Hanson and Nooks Lindell, were frequently sourced from or created by Inuit artisans — including the characters’ enviable parkas, trimmed in lush fur or bordered with vibrant patterns.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Advertisement Advertisement The show was filmed in the Arctic, where Inuit co-creators Stacey Aglok-MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril live.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
In the Arctic, most communities have a population that’s majority Inuit, so the White folks in charge are in the minority – that’s a dynamic the majority of North Americans are not accustomed to.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Inuit
Cite this Entry
“Inuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Inuit. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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Inuit
noun
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