Somali

[ soh-mah-lee, suh- ]

noun

, plural So·ma·lis, (especially collectively) So·ma·li

1. a member of a people speaking a Cushitic language and living primarily in Somalia, Somaliland, and adjacent regions.
2. the Cushitic language of the Somali ethnic group.

adjective

1. of or relating to Somalia, its people, or their language.
2. of or relating to the Somali ethnic group or their language.

Somali

/ səʊˈmɑːlɪ /

noun

1. -lis-li a member of a tall dark-skinned people inhabiting Somalia
2. the language of this people, belonging to the Cushitic subfamily of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Somalia, the Somalis, or their language

Word History and Origins

Origin of Somali¹

First recorded in 1800–10 as Samaulies (plural); from Somali Soomaali, a self-designation

Example Sentences

She also bagged her own show on the Food Network and taught the world how to cook suugo suqaar, or spicy Somali pasta with beef.

From Ozy

The Somali American politician paved the way to victory with the support of the Somali community in Minnesota.

From Quartz

Only Omar, a Somali American who arrived in the country as a refugee, was born abroad.

From Washington Post

The Somali-born athlete moved to England as an 8-year-old and considers himself British.

From Fortune

While Somali piracy or Taliban protection schemes may be “tricky” markets, they are fundamentally markets.

From Freakonomics

He could surmise one item in keeping with young women of Somali heritage.

From The Daily Beast

Godane rejects the idea of Al-Shabab negotiating with the Somali federal government, an “apostate government” he dubs it.

From The Daily Beast

Many residents of the area are Kikuyu farmers as well as Somali pastoralists.

From The Daily Beast

The daughter reported hearing the assailants singing Somali songs.

From The Daily Beast

Abdi only got into acting when the producers of the film came to Minneapolis to audition Somali-born actors.

From The Daily Beast

Of the Somali tribes the Herti dwell near the coast and are more or less stationary.

From Project Gutenberg

The Gurre, another Somali tribe, occupy the country south of the lower Daua.

From Project Gutenberg

She immediately charged, chewed up his leg, arm and shoulder, and was then killed by his Somali gunbearer.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes they run away, but the Somali gunbearers are the most fearless and trustworthy, and seldom desert in time of need.

From Project Gutenberg

On one occasion, in 1881 I think it was, I was bringing over a large cargo of forty-two ostriches 129 from the Somali country.

From Project Gutenberg