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Dinka

American  
[ding-kuh] / ˈdɪŋ kə /

noun

Dinkas, plural Dinka plural
  1. a member of a tall, pastoral people of Sudan.

  2. the language of the Dinka, a Nilotic language closely related to Shilluk.


Dinka British  
/ ˈdɪŋkə /

noun

  1. a member of a Nilotic people of South Sudan, noted for their height, which often reaches seven feet tall: chiefly herdsmen

  2. the language of this people, belonging to the Nilotic group of the Nilo-Saharan family

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of Dinka

from Dinka jieng people

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The conflict in has largely pitted the two largest ethnic groups against each other -- the Dinka aligned mostly with Kiir, and the Nuer mostly with Machar.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

The country, over the last years, has seen the limits of the peace deal forged between South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, a Dinka, and his Nuer deputy, Riek Machar.

From Washington Post • Feb. 4, 2023

Kiir comes from South Sudan's largest ethnic group, the Dinka.

From Reuters • Feb. 3, 2023

The battle for control mainly raged between the supporters of President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and supporters of the First Vice-President Riek Machar, a Nuer.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2023

We were used to Dinka houses—all enclosed with just a little crack or door to let air in.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

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