Malagasy

noun

Mal·​a·​gasy ˌma-lə-ˈga-sē  ˌmä-lə-ˈgä-sē 

-shē

plural Malagasy also Malagasies

1

: a member of a people of Indonesian and African origin who inhabit Madagascar

2

: the Austronesian language of the Malagasy people

Malagasy adjective

Examples of Malagasy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Approximately 22 Malagasy are believed to have been killed since Thursday, and approximately 100 more are estimated to have been injured in violent clashes with security forces. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2025

France has returned three skulls to Madagascar more than a century after they were taken, including one believed to be that of a 19th-century Malagasy king who was beheaded by French troops. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025

What began as a hobby evolved into a career, supported by commissions and encouragement from fellow Malagasy photographers, including Kevin Ramarohetra. — Liam Freeman, Vogue, 29 July 2025

To further emphasize their courage in breaking taboos and coming forward to speak about the disease in public, the women portrayed wear traditional Malagasy face masks. — Diane Cole, NPR, 21 June 2025

That’s why one rare Malagasy fossa made a more than 5,000-mile journey from the San Diego Zoo to Chester Zoo in England for a date. — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025

And beyond dining, the property has also mastered the art of relaxation, with the Anoka Jungle Spa offering a wide range of treatments that incorporate native Malagasy botanicals. — Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

But many Malagasy don’t have the luxury of considering that big picture. — Julie Bourdin, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan. 2025

For instance, many residents of the Malagasy city of Ambositra are trained as wood-carvers and were hired to make the classroom doors for her latest project. — Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for Malagasy

• efficacy
• profligacy
• assay
• bassi
• brassey
• brassy
• cassie
• chassis
• classy
• gassy
• glassy
• grassy

Kids Definition

Malagasy

noun

Mal·​a·​gasy ˌmal-ə-ˈgas-ē 

plural Malagasy also Malagasies

1

: a person born or living in Madagascar

2

: the language of the Malagasy people

Malagasy adjective