1. A variety of English spoken by some African Americans, characterized by distinctive grammatical structures, pronunciation, and vocabulary; also called African American Vernacular English (AAVE).
Usage: Often capitalized; Linguistic term; used in academic and educational contexts; The term itself is sometimes considered controversial; AAVE is the preferred term in modern linguistics

Examples

• Linguists study Ebonics as a legitimate dialect with consistent grammatical rules.
• The school district held a meeting to discuss how teachers should approach Ebonics in the classroom.
• Ebonics has roots in African languages, Caribbean creoles, and American English.
• Many scholars prefer the term AAVE over Ebonics in academic writing.
• Understanding Ebonics can help educators better support students who speak it at home.