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
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
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) identified the suspect as a Sudanese man in his 30s, after initially saying he was believed to be Somali.
—CBS News, 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
Many of the defendants in that case were Somali Americans, according to local news reports.
—Jody Godoy, USA Today, 13 May 2026
At least one of the raids appeared to be at the Somali Senior Center and Adult Day Services facility, as federal law enforcement could be seen going in and out of the building.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
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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
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) identified the suspect as a Sudanese man in his 30s, after initially saying he was believed to be Somali.
—CBS News, 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
Many of the defendants in that case were Somali Americans, according to local news reports.
—Jody Godoy, USA Today, 13 May 2026
At least one of the raids appeared to be at the Somali Senior Center and Adult Day Services facility, as federal law enforcement could be seen going in and out of the building.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Somali.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Somali. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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