Meaning & use
wetback
A highly offensive and derogatory slang term for a Mexican immigrant, especially one who entered the United States illegally.
See it in a sentence
The term wetback is widely recognized today as an offensive ethnic slur and should be avoided.
Historians note the word wetback was commonly used in mid-twentieth-century immigration debates, though it is now considered deeply offensive.
A note on using this word
This word is a racial slur and is offensive in virtually all contexts; it appears here only for reference so learners can recognize it as unacceptable, not as a word to use.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “wetback”, then compare your use with the examples above.