ninja
/ˈnɪn.dʒə/
Japanese Origin
Culture
Original Word
忍者
Kanji (ninja)
Entered English
1960s
First recorded usage in English
The Story Behind "ninja"
From Japanese 'ninja' (忍者), literally 'one who endures' or 'stealth person'. Covert agents in feudal Japan skilled in espionage and guerrilla warfare. Popularized globally through movies and comics in the 1980s.
Example Usage
"The ninja moved silently across the rooftop."