Definition

Noun: 1. A person from Louisiana with Acadian ancestry: A Cajun is a person, typically from Louisiana, whose ancestors were French-speaking settlers from Acadia (now Nova Scotia, Canada) who were exiled in the 18th century. 2. The culture or dialect of these people: The term can also refer to the distinct culture, cuisine, music, or French dialect associated with this community in Louisiana.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to a person):
  • My neighbor is a Cajun who can trace her family back to the original Acadian settlers.
  • The festival featured a Cajun who demonstrated traditional boat-building techniques.
• Noun (referring to culture):
  • The restaurant is famous for its authentic Cajun cooking.
  • We listened to lively Cajun music all evening.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term is frequently used as an adjective to describe elements of this culture, though the primary dictionary entry is a noun.
  • Cajun cuisine is known for its spicy flavors.
  • He speaks with a distinct Cajun accent.

Variants and Related Words

• Acadian (noun/adjective): The term for the original French colonists of Acadia and their descendants, from which "Cajun" is derived.
• Creole (noun/adjective): A related but distinct cultural group in Louisiana with a different historical and linguistic background. While often discussed together, Cajun and Creole cultures are not the same.

Synonyms

• Louisiana Acadian: A more formal term for a Cajun person.
• Acadian descendant: A descriptive phrase for someone of Cajun heritage.

Notes on Meaning

• The word "Cajun" is a phonetic alteration of the word "Acadian." It specifically refers to the descendants of Acadians who settled in rural areas of southern Louisiana, developing a unique culture separate from the Creole culture of New Orleans.
• It is important to distinguish between Cajun (typically referencing the rural, Acadian-descended culture) and Creole (which historically references the city-dwelling, often mixed-heritage, French and Spanish colonial culture).

Noun

1. a Louisianian descended from Acadian immigrants from Nova Scotia (`Cajun' comes from `Acadian')