Burkinabe

adjective

Bur·​ki·​na·​be bu̇r-ˈkē-nə-ˌbā How to pronounce Burkinabe (audio)
bər-
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Burkina Faso or its people
Burkinabe noun
plural Burkinabes

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French burkinabè, borrowed from Fula Burkinaɓe, from Burkina Faso + -ɓe, class marker for persons in plural

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Burkinabe was in 1984

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Cite this Entry

“Burkinabe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Burkinabe. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Entry added
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