[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/ninja/)

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# ninja

noun (a ninja, ninjas)

«ninja» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A secret fighter or spy in old Japan, trained in fighting, sneaking and disguises. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/ninja/#m1)
2. (informal) A person who is very skilled at something: «a spelling ninja». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/ninja/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories, cartoons and games, ninjas wear black, move silently and do clever tricks; real ninjas in history were spies and scouts in Japan in the 1400s–1600s. In everyday kid talk, «ninja» praises skill or stealth. Phrases: «ninja warrior», «like a ninja», «ninja moves», «maths ninja».

### Examples

- The ninja crept silently across the rooftop. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/ninja/#x1)
- I sneaked downstairs like a ninja to get a snack. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/ninja/#x2)
- Ninjas were real spies in old Japan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/ninja/#x3)
- You solved that puzzle so fast — you're a maths ninja! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/ninja/#x4)
- The cartoon about ninja turtles is very old but still popular. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/ninja/#x5)
- My brother does ninja moves on the trampoline. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/ninja/#x6)

### Note

Plural «ninjas» (sometimes «ninja» as in Japanese). Myth: real ninjas did not always wear black suits — they often disguised themselves as farmers or travellers. Do not confuse with «samurai», the warrior class who served lords openly.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «ninja» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/N/ninja/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ninja» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ninja.html) on Mova free.