Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of an Algonquian people originally living north of Lake Superior: "Ojibway" refers to an individual belonging to a large group of Indigenous peoples of North America.
   • The Algonquian language spoken by this people: "Ojibway" also denotes the language spoken by the Ojibway people.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to a person): My grandmother is Ojibway and taught me many traditional stories. The Ojibway have a rich history of trade and craftsmanship.

• Noun (referring to the language): She is taking a course to learn Ojibway. Several place names in the region are derived from Ojibway.

Advanced Usage

• The term "Ojibway" is one of several related names for the people and language, including Ojibwe and Chippewa. The choice of term can depend on regional preference or specific community identity.
• In academic contexts, "Ojibway" is often used alongside "Anishinaabe," which is the people's own name for themselves in their language, meaning "original people" or "good people."

Variants and Related Words

• Ojibwe (n): A common variant spelling for both the people and the language.
• Chippewa (n): Another common name for the Ojibway people, used more frequently in the United States.
• Anishinaabe (n): The autonym (self-designation) for the Ojibway and related peoples.
• Ojibway can function as an adjective, as in or .

Synonyms

• Chippewa (n): A synonym for the Ojibway people.
• Anishinaabe (n): A broader term encompassing cultural and linguistic relatives.

Related Phrases and Usage Notes

• The plural form is typically Ojibway or Ojibways.
• When referring to the language, it is often specified as "the Ojibway language" to avoid ambiguity with the people.
• It is considered respectful to use the specific name preferred by the community or individual being discussed.

Noun

1. the Algonquian language spoken by the Ojibwa
2. a member of an Algonquian people who lived west of Lake Superior