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.
Earlier this year, Emmer called for the deportation of Somali Americans engaged in fraud, following the arrests and convictions of more than 60 people connected to the high-profile Feeding Our Future fraud scandal. Eric Henderson, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States ahead of the World Cup, will be paid his tournament fee in full by FIFA despite not being able to participate. Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 14 June 2026 Getty Images Just days before the World Cup is due to start, Somali referee Omar Artan — voted best referee in Africa for 2025 —can’t enter the United States. Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 The Somali, who had been named Confederation of African Football Referee of the Year in 2025, became the first referee from his country to be appointed to call a World Cup match, but he was forced to return to Istanbul after being denied entry at Miami International Airport. Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 Trump admin official reveals why Somali World Cup ref was sent back home. FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026 Advertisement Artan became a FIFA referee in 2018 and has officiated in Somali national football league championships. Chad De Guzman, Time, 9 June 2026 Immigration officials at Miami International Airport refused to allow a renowned Somali referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, to enter the United States ahead of his participation as a referee in the FIFA World Cup. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026 The indictment further exposed adjacent links to existing fraud cases involving members of Minnesota’s Somali community, including the large $250 million Feeding Our Future free meal delivery fraud case. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 21 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Somali.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Somali. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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