Definition
Socially aware and engaged with issues of social justice, particularly regarding racism, inequality, and discrimination; the term can be used approvingly or critically depending on context. In recent years, it has become a charged political descriptor.
Example Usage
The company's woke marketing campaign tried to appeal to younger, socially conscious consumers.
Origin
From African American Vernacular English (AAVE), derived from the past tense of 'wake'; popularized in the phrase 'stay woke' in the 2010s.
Fun Fact
Originally a positive term within Black activist communities, 'woke' became polarized in mainstream discourse, now used both as a badge of honor and as a pejorative.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
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See “Woke” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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