Acehnese

American  

[ah-chuh-neez, -nees, ach-uh-] / ˌɑ tʃəˈniz, -ˈnis, ˌætʃ ə- /

Sometimes Atjehnese also Achinese

adjective

1. of or relating to a traditionally Muslim Indigenous people of northernmost Sumatra or their language.

---

noun

• Acehnese
  plural

1. a member of a traditionally Muslim Indigenous people of northernmost Sumatra.

2. the Austronesian language spoken by the Acehnese.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Acehnese
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Acehnese

First recorded in 1690–1700 as Achinese; from Achin, variant of Aceh, from Indonesian, Malay Aceh, the former name of a sultanate + -ese

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Acehnese

"This is our fate as Acehnese," he said.

From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026

The thirteenth century marks a time of considerable Islamic expansion into Southeast Asia; the Acehnese peoples on the northern tip of Sumatra were the first to embrace the religion.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

Usman Hamid, executive director for Amnesty International's Indonesia chapter, said the government had reacted late but appreciated that authorities had listened to Acehnese fishermen and accepted the refugees.

From Reuters ● Dec. 31, 2021

“Some Acehnese were enthusiastically swept up in it, others rather reluctantly.”

From Time ● Dec. 24, 2014

I witnessed strong resistance among the Acehnese toward these groups.

From New York Times ● Mar. 10, 2010