goym

Goym is a transliteration variant related to the term goyim, used in Yiddish and English to refer to non-Jewish people. The stem term goy (singular) comes from Hebrew (goy) meaning “nation” or “people.” In Jewish usage, goy refers to a non-Jew, while goyim or goy (as plural) denotes non-Jewish peoples or nations in general. The form goym appears in some transliterations and informal writing, but the standard English plural is goyim.

Usage and connotations vary. In neutral academic or descriptive contexts, goy and goyim are used to discuss Jewish law, history, ethnography, or sociology without implying value judgments. In other contexts, the terms can carry pejorative or dismissive overtones, depending on tone, intent, and audience. Because of potential offense, many people prefer gentile or non-Jew to describe non-Jewish individuals in contemporary interfaith or intercultural discussions.

Etymology and evolution. The words derive from Hebrew, where goy originally means “nation.” In biblical and post-biblical Hebrew, it is used to refer to nations or peoples, not exclusively to Jews or non-Jews. In modern usage, goy or goyim has become a common, though sometimes controversial, label within Jewish communities for non-Jewish people.

See also: Goy, Goyim, Gentile.