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ỌKỌWA OKWU IGBO
IGBO DICTIONARY
www.NewIgboDictionary.com
© 2012 All Rights Reserved
Contents
Igbo Dictionary Team
The real truth about Ibo Vs Igbo
The Igbo Alphabet
Abbreviations Used in this Dictionary
Igbo - English Dictionary
The Igbo Dictionary Team
Editorial / Research Team
Yvonne Chiọma Mbanefo
Agwo Eos Odili
Chika Unigwe
Emeka Maduewesi
Chinyere Ugomma Eze-Nliam
Azor Unamka Omeni
Special Thanks
Basil Osita Mbanefo
Chikwendụ Anyanwụ
Clive John Obianyor
Jackie Obianyor
M. O Ene
Nwamaka Umobi
Obi Ugbana
Uchechukwu Enyidi
Members & Contributors
Nonso Onyenyionwu
Abel Osuji
Ekene Ofiaeli Pruce
Achife Uchechukwu
Stephen
Elesia Ifeanyi
Chioma Ife Mbanefo
Nwamaka Umobi
Eric Uchenna Chimara
Achuonye Chidiebere
Luckyprince
Nwokolo Chukwulobe Jr
Gerald Obiora Anakwenze
Obi Ugbana
Adaobi Okoroafor Okoye
Ify Chuke-nwobi
Amaka Okany
Iheanacho Ikenna
Obim Onujiogu
(Ezediebube)
Azuka Nwabugwu Ofordile
Ihuaku Njemanze-Anadu.
Oby Ezeanochikwa
Benneth Lambert
Ikechi Ebereọnwụ .
Odz. Patience Ugo Okogeri
Barleycorn Vin
Iheukwumere Okeadu
Ikpeamanze Chinyere
Amauche
Ogonna Adirika
Ogueri Egwim
Blessing Obi-Allison
Izuakor Chinenye Maria
Charles Kaine
Jackie Obianyor
Chidubem Ukamaka
Onyejemuo
Jennifer Onah Iwobi
Okechukwu F. Ifeachor.
Okereke Sly
Oliaku Njeze Eneh
Kafomdi M. Anene.
Onyinye Igbokwe
Chiedozie Nwanze
Kelechi Goodluck Onuoha.
Paddy Anigbo
Chike Eduputa Chike E
Kristy Ifeoma-Inez Ikanih.
Patrick Vijay Ofonagoro
Chike Oshato Obiora-Okafo
Basil Osita Mbanefo
Ruth Opara
Chikwendụ Anyanwụ
Munachimso nwa Ejiofor
Sandra Chinonye Nwadi.
Christopher Chidi Chimara
Chukwudi Eke.
Maryblessing Chinyere ObiAllison
Solumkolia Obi-Anazodo
Chukwudum Nna Ofomata
Moe Eneh
Sylvia Okoma Somaniya
Chukwuka E. Nwafor
Naja Nzumafo Njoku .
Uche Ezeokonkwo Manafa
Cindy Anene Ezeugwu.
Ndidi Ihezue
Uchechukwu Amos.
Ndidi Obele Nwangwu
Uchechukwu Enyidi
Dr. Kelechi Mezu Nnabue
Nichodemus Onwuesiama
Uchechukwu Stephen
Achife
Dr. Nina Mezu-Nwaba
Njideka Akubuilo.
Ugo & Lisa Chinwuba.
Dr Ifeoma Onyia
Nkachukwu Chika Prisca.
Unoma N. Azuah
Ejimofor Okorafor-Nwosu
Nnọrọm Azụonye
Igbo or Ibo?
There are some interesting misconceptions around the use of Igbo/Ibo, one of which is that
one refers to the language and the other, the people. Another wide-spread misconception is
that one is simply the alternative spelling for the other and therefore that both are
interchangeable. The acceptance that the latter idea has gained is obvious in its use even by
Igbos themselves in their writing. In academic writings even, this idea is perpetuated that
whether one chooses to use 'Igbo' or 'Ibo' is simply a matter of taste. 'Ibo' is as popular as
'Igbo.'
However, popularity does not equal validity. At least not in this case. It is not a question of a
democratic show of hands where the winner is the one with the most supporters.
Ibo is simply a bastardized spelling of the word, Igbo. To understand where this corruption
came from, one must go back to colonization. Nigeria was an English colony. The English
have no 'gb' sound. The colonialists mispronounced 'Igbo' as 'Ibo' and therefore transcribed it
as such. That that English mispronunciation persists up until today, and the fact that it has
such widespread acceptance even among Ndi Igbo themselves shows just how deeply we
were colonized.
There are other misspelt Igbo words, Enug(w)u for example. However the fight to begin
reclaiming our words must begin with us demanding to be called by our proper name. We are
not Ibo. We do not speak Ibo. We are Igbo. We speak Igbo.
Chika Unigwe
The Igbo Alphabet
A B Ch D E F G Gb
Gh Gw H I Ị J K Kp
Kw L M N Nw Ny Ṅ O
Ọ P R S Sh T U Ụ
V WY Z
A
Abani /aban / Night noun
the interval of darkness every 24 hours
connecting sunset and sunrise, different
from day
Alt Abanị, Uchichi, Ujichi
Asambodo /asambodo/ Certificate noun
an official document attesting the truth of
the facts stated, as of birth, marital status,
death, health, completion of an academic
course, ability to practise a profession, etc
Abụ
/ Armpit adj
the small hollow below the arm where it
connects with the shoulder
Alt Akpa abụ, Evụ , Avụ, Ebụ
Azụzụ /az z / Catarrh noun
inflammation of a mucous membrane with
increased production of mucus, esp
affecting the nose and throat in the
common cold
Abụ
/ Pus noun
the yellow or greenish fluid product of
swelling, largely made up of dead
leucocytes, exuded plasma, as well as
liquefied tissue cells
Alt Avụ
Ada /ada/ First Daughter noun
the first girl born in a nuclear family
Anụ /an / Meat noun
the soft tissue of mammals used as food,
different from that of birds and fish
Anwụrụ /aŋʷ r / Smoke noun
1. the outcome of combustion, made
up of fine particles of carbon
carried by hot gases and air
2. any cloud of fine particles
suspended in a gas
Ana ŋ Whip/Cane noun
the long jointed pithy or hollow flexible
stem of the bamboo, rattan, or any similar
plant, used for administering punishment
Alt Ụtallị, Ịtallị
Atụ /at / Chewing stick
stick from a special herbaceous tree, used
for cleaning the teeth as an alternative to
toothpaste and toothbrush.
Asị
/ Hatred
a feeling of intense dislike; enmity
Alt Ashị, Azị
B
Banye /baɲe/ Enter verb
1. to come or go into (a place, house,
etc)
2. to penetrate or pierce(tr)
3. to introduce or insert
Bawanye /bawaɲe/ Increase
verb
to make or become greater in size, degree,
frequency, etc; grow or expand
noun
1. the act of increasing; augmentation
2. the amount by which something
increases
CH
Chabie /tʃabie/Cut
to divide or be divided with or as if with a
sharp instrument
Alt Chawa, Bebie
D
Dagide /dagide/ Lean on
1. depend on for advice, support, etc
2. informal to exert pressure on
(someone), as by threats or
intimidation
GB
Gbajie /ɓ~ ɓa dʒ ie/ Break Verb
to damage or become damaged so as to be
inoperative
GH
Ghee /ɣee/ Fry Verb
to cook or be cooked in fat, oil, etc, usually
over direct heat