Somali

noun

So·​ma·​li sō-ˈmä-lē How to pronounce Somali (audio)
sə-
plural Somali or Somalis
1
: a member of a people of Somaliland
2
: the Cushitic language of the Somali
Somali adjective

Examples of Somali in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Southdale's contract termination comes after several high-profile fraud cases involving Somali Americans, like Minnesota's Feeding Our Future pandemic fraud scheme. Frankie McLister, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026 Local media reported that Somali apologized for his actions before entering court Wednesday, and that his mother had submitted a petition for leniency last month. Stella Kim, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026 Her book—only the third to be published on Somali cuisine since 1978—provides a detailed overview of her home country’s history, pays homage to the chefs and writers who came before her, and intersperses thoroughly researched essays about the Somali diaspora. Jamie Feldmar, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026 According to the outlet, Somali had been free prior to the conviction but was taken into custody after the sentence was handed down. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 In an extended statement posted on Monday, four Somali art spaces—the Somali Arts Foundation, Arlo Artspace, Shaneema Banaadir, and Baciid Center—issued a statement criticizing the show for failing to include artists who are based in Somalia. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 14 Apr. 2026 Guelleh learned to speak several languages, including Somali, Amharic, Arabic, English, and French. Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Apr. 2026 Then, the Somali Civil War drove in a large community starting in the ‘90s, creating what is now the diaspora’s largest in the country. David Farley, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026 Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have charged 92 people, many of them Somali Americans, with ripping off child nutrition, day care and housing stabilization programs. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from or akin to Somali Soomaali

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Somali was in 1814

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Somali.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Somali. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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