Malay

1 of 3

noun (1)

Ma·​lay mə-ˈlā  ˈmā-(ˌ)lā 

1

: a member of a people of the Malay Peninsula, eastern Sumatra, parts of Borneo, and some adjacent islands

2

: the Austronesian language of the Malays

Malay adjective

Malayan

mə-ˈlā-ən 

mā-;

ˈmā-ˌlā-

noun or adjective

Malayan

2 of 3

noun (2)

Ma·​lay·​an məˈlāən 

(ˈ)mā¦l- sometimes -āyən

plural -s

1

: a native or inhabitant of Malaya

2

: deutero-malay

Malayan

3 of 3

adjective

"

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Malays

2

: of, relating to, or constituting the subdivision of the biogeographic Oriental region that includes the Malay peninsula, the Philippines, and the Indo-Malayan archipelago to Wallace's line

Examples of Malay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Breakfast might be kopitiam toast and soft eggs, lunch a plate of chicken rice at a hawker stall, and dinner a tasting menu influenced by the flavors of the Malay Archipelago. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

The Gulai House, housed in a traditional Malay kampung set deep in the jungle, serves authentic local and Indian flavors. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026

Bradley Malay, 50, of Killingworth was arrested late Thursday and charged with two counts of second-degree forgery, according to Sgt. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026

Kampong Glam today houses trendy restaurants, shops and hotels, but was once home to entire communities for centuries, a land of a former thriving Malay port town and the waters of early riverine settlements. — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

obsolete Dutch Malayo (now Maleier), from Malay Mĕlayu

Noun (2)

Malay entry 1 + English -an, noun suffix

Adjective

Malay entry 1 + English -an, adjective suffix

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Malay

noun

Ma·​lay mə-ˈlā  ˈmā-ˌlā 

plural Malays

1

: a member of a people of the Malay Peninsula and neighboring islands

2

: the language of the Malay people

Malay adjective

Malayan

mə-ˈlā-ən 

ˈmā-ˌlā-

adjective or noun