Khoikhoi

noun

Khoi·​khoi ˈkȯi-ˌkȯi How to pronounce Khoikhoi (audio)
plural Khoikhoi
1
: a member of any of a group of Khoisan-speaking pastoral peoples of southern Africa
2
: the group of Khoisan languages spoken by the Khoikhoi

Examples of Khoikhoi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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She was inspired to start it after reading up on Sarah Baartman, a South African Khoikhoi woman who was ogled by Westerners during the 19th century as a freak show attraction in Europe. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Khoikhoi was in 1801

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Cite this Entry

“Khoikhoi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Khoikhoi. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

Khoikhoi

noun
Khoi·​khoi ˈkȯi-ˌkȯi How to pronounce Khoikhoi (audio)
plural Khoikhoi
1
: a member of a group of pastoral peoples who lived in far southern Africa when first encountered by Europeans and who now live mainly in Namibia
2
: the languages spoken by the Khoikhoi

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