: an English-based creole spoken in Sierra Leone

Word History

Etymology

Krio, speaker of Krio, Krio language, perhaps from Yoruba Kiriyó Christian, ultimately from Portuguese crioulo Creole

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Krio was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near Krio

Cite this Entry

“Krio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Krio. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Krio

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!