coon

noun

ˈkün

1

: raccoon

2

offensive

—used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a Black person

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of coon was in 1742

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Coon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coon. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

coon

noun

ˈkün

: raccoon

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vertiginous

Listen to the pronunciation of vertiginous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?