karen

kar-en · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (Slang, derogatory) A pejorative term for a middle-aged white woman perceived as entitled, demanding, or excessively complaining, especially one who makes unreasonable demands of service workers or seeks to speak to a manager.

  2. 2.

    A feminine given name of Danish origin.

  3. 3.

    A member of an ethnic group native to Myanmar and Thailand; also, the language spoken by this group.

Forms

plural: karens

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    OK Karen — A dismissive response to someone behaving in an entitled manner
  • •
    Karen haircut — A short, angled bob hairstyle stereotypically associated with the Karen archetype

Related words

See also: complain, entitled

Etymology

The slang use derives from the given name Karen, which became associated with the stereotype through internet memes in the late 2010s. The name itself is from Danish Karen, a form of Katherine.