powwow

/'pauwau/

Friendly

Sure! Let’s break down the word "powwow" step by step.

Definition:

1. Noun:

   • A council of or with Native Americans: Traditionally, a powwow is a gathering of Native American people for celebration, dancing, music, and sharing culture.
   • Informal meaning: A quick meeting or discussion between people to share ideas or solve a problem.

2. Verb:

   • To hold a powwow: This means to have a meeting or discussion, usually informal, between people.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "powwow" when talking about both traditional Native American gatherings and informal meetings.
• It is often used in casual conversation.

Examples:

• Noun: "The community organized a powwow to celebrate their culture with music and dance."
• Verb: "Let’s powwow after lunch to discuss our project."

Advanced Usage:

• In business or casual contexts, you might say, “We need to powwow about our strategy moving forward.” This implies a need for a focused discussion.

Word Variants:

• Powwowed (verb): The past tense of powwow. Example: "We powwowed yesterday about our plans."
• Powwowing (verb): The present participle form. Example: "They are powwowing right now to finalize the details."

Different Meanings:

• The primary meaning relates to Native American gatherings, while the informal usage refers to discussions or meetings, often in a casual setting.

Synonyms:

• For the noun meaning (meeting):
  • Gathering
  • Conference
  • Assembly
• For the informal meeting:
  • Chat
  • Discussion
  • Talk

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While "powwow" itself doesn't have specific idioms or phrasal verbs, you can combine it with other words:
  • "Powwow with someone": This means to meet or discuss with someone. Example: "I need to powwow with my team about the upcoming event."

Summary:

"Powwow" can refer to both a cultural gathering among Native Americans and an informal meeting or discussion. It's a versatile word you can use in various contexts, especially when talking about collaboration or sharing ideas.

Academic

Noun

1. a council of or with Native Americans
2. (informal) a quick private conference

Verb

1. hold a powwow, talk, conference or meeting

Synonyms

• huddle