Somali

American  

[soh-mah-lee, suh-] / soʊˈmɑ li, sə- /

noun

plural

Somalis,

plural

Somali

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.

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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 British  

/ səʊˈmɑːlɪ /

noun

1. 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

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adjective

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

Etymology

Origin of Somali

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

Example Sentences

Minnesota is home to the largest community of Somali immigrants in the US, the majority of whom are US citizens.

From BBC

More than 90% of the state’s Somali population, the group highlighted in the fraud investigation, have some sort of permanent legal status, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

From The Wall Street Journal

The departures include Joe Thompson, a former acting U.S. attorney for the office who had been leading a sprawling welfare-fraud investigation that has resulted in the convictions of roughly 60 defendants, mostly of Somali descent.

From The Wall Street Journal

Starting March 17, around 2,500 Somalis will lose their work authorisations and legal status, making them eligible for deportation.

From BBC

Some agents were expected to assist with investigations in the aftermath of a social-services fraud scandal that has led to charges against some 90 people, many of Somali descent.

From The Wall Street Journal