Khoisan

noun

Khoi·​san ˈkȯi-ˌsän 

-ˈsän

1

: a group of African peoples speaking Khoisan languages

2

: a group of languages of southern and eastern Africa that have clicks in their consonantal inventories and that include the languages of the Khoikhoi and San

Examples of Khoisan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These inhabitants were eventually displaced by the hunter-gatherer Khoisan and later by Bantu-speaking peoples, with the Batoka tribe becoming dominant. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026

On the second day, guests will embark on the ultimate adventure, spending the night at a remote fly camp under the stars—a unique experience enhanced by a traditional bucket shower and stories around the campfire told by local Khoisan guides. — Jim Dobson, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024

But the puzzling placements of blacks, Pygmies, and Khoisan hint at past population upheavals. — Jared Diamond, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Khoikhoi + San

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Khoisan

• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman