Somali

noun

So·​ma·​li sō-ˈmä-lē How to pronounce Somali (audio)
sə-
plural Somali or Somalis
1
: a member of a people of Somaliland
2
: the Cushitic language of the Somali
Somali adjective

Examples of Somali in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Minnesota is home to large Somali, Karen, Hmong and Liberian populations. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 30 Sep. 2024 The camp is still more than 97 percent Somali, but the wars and droughts across the region have expanded the population with refugees and asylum seekers from as far away as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Rael Ombuor, Washington Post, 6 June 2024 An earlier version of this article mistakenly identified U.S. Central Command as responsible for Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somali, and Sudan. Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022 That strategy is unlikely to change this election season, though the party may try to make inroads with DFL-leaning groups of voters, such as Somali Americans. Mark Wasson, Twin Cities, 17 May 2024 Omar left her homeland with her family near the start of the Somali Civil War in 1991 and spent four years at a Kenyan refugee camp before immigrating to the U.S. in 1995. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2024 Minnesota prides itself on being a beacon of progressiveness with its history of openness to Somali and Hmong immigrant communities and strong Medicaid policies. Usha Lee McFarling, STAT, 12 Jan. 2024 The beneficiaries include East County Economic Development Council Foundation, the Neighborhood House Association Urban Corps of San Diego, La Maestra, Palomar Health Foundation, Vista Community Clinic and Somali Bantu Association of America. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2023 To learn more about the Somali Bantu Community Association, visit somalibantumaine.org. Jocelyn Ruggiero, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

from or akin to Somali Soomaali

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Somali was in 1814

Dictionary Entries Near Somali

Cite this Entry

“Somali.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Somali. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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