Balinese

noun

Ba·​li·​nese ˌbä-li-ˈnēz How to pronounce Balinese (audio)
ˌba-, 
-ˈnēs
1
: a native or inhabitant of Bali
2
: any of a breed of slender long-haired cats that originated as a spontaneous mutation of the Siamese
Balinese adjective

Examples of Balinese in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other sessions include Indian classical and contemporary, Balinese, reggaeton, belly dance, hip hop, vitality dance and more. — Ray Chavez, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026 Food and drink Food is a highlight overseen by Balinese Chef Jiwa and his team. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Other talkative breeds include the oriental shorthair, the Balinese, the Japanese bobtail, the Tonkinese, the Burmese, the sphynx, and the Bengal. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026 The gardens are wide, old and shaded and the design is classic Balinese. — Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 12 Jan. 2026 Kirana, the resort’s all-day restaurant, foregrounds Balinese and wider Indonesian cuisine. — Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Dutch Balinees, from Bali island of Indonesia

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Balinese was in 1820

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Cite this Entry

“Balinese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Balinese. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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