Bohemian

Bohemia +‎ -ian

In sense of Romani and by association, marginalized artists, from French bohémien (“person from Bohemia, Romani”), from Bohême (“Bohemia”). Regarding the sense evolution, compare gypsy.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /boʊˈhimi.ən/

Bohemian (plural Bohemians)

1. A native or resident of Bohemia. [from 16th c.]
2. (now rare) A Gypsy, a Romani. [from 16th c.]
3. Alternative letter-case form of bohemian; someone known for flouting social conventions, especially someone involved in the arts. [from 19th c.]

• bohemian
• boho
• bohunk

Bohemian (not comparable)

1. Of, or relating to Bohemia or its language. [from 16th c.]
   • 1791, James Boswell, Life of Johnson, Oxford, published 2008, page 467:

     He observed, that the Bohemian language was true Sclavonick.

   • 2020, Brandon Taylor, Real Life, Daunt Books Originals, page 33:

     Her grandparents on one side were Bohemian, or Czech, as it was called now.

2. Alternative letter-case form of bohemian; unconventional in habit or dress.

• Bohemish (obsolete)

• Bohemian Brethren
• Bohemian chatterer
• Bohemian earspoon
• Bohemianism
• Bohemian glass
• Bohemian pheasant
• Bohemian Shepherd
• Bohemian waxwing

Bohemian

1. (now historical) The Czech language. [from 17th c.]

• Czech