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

There’s also Austronesian, comprising languages that include Malay, Javanese, and Tagalog. —Martha Barnette august 6, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2025

Since 2018, several new groups of millipedes have been discovered on the Malay Peninsula, according to the study. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025

Then, dine at The Conservatory, grazing on West Coast oysters, South Atlantic tuna tartare, and traditional Cape Malay bobotie—complete with sweet pumpkin tart or its famous Liz McGrath Chocolate Plate. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

For Instance, this year the holistic wellness resort Chiva Som in Hua Hin, located in the northern portion of the Malay Peninsula, celebrates its 30th birthday. —Lee Cobaj, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025

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