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noun Uncommon

Mari

MAH-ree

Mari (noun) means a member of the Mari people, a Volga-Finnic ethnic group of the Volga region of Russia. Example: “The Mari have preserved much of their traditional folklore.”

noun
1
A member of the Mari people, a Volga-Finnic ethnic group of the Volga region of Russia.
"The Mari have preserved much of their traditional folklore."
name
1
The Finno-Ugric language spoken by the Mari people.
"She is learning Mari to research her family's heritage."
2
An ancient Sumerian and Amorite city, now the archaeological site of Tell Hariri in Syria.
"Excavations at Mari uncovered thousands of cuneiform tablets."

How to Use Mari

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRefers either to an ancient Middle Eastern city or to a Finno-Ugric people and language in Russia — two unrelated senses sharing one name.

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The _____ have preserved much of their traditional folklore.

Etymology

The city name traces to Akkadian, linked to Mer, an ancient Mesopotamian storm deity; the ethnic/language sense is unrelated, native to the Mari people's own name for themselves.

Rhymes for Mari

See all rhymes for Mari →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Mari” mean?

The word “Mari” means a member of the Mari people, a Volga-Finnic ethnic group of the Volga region of Russia. In plain terms, refers either to an ancient Middle Eastern city or to a Finno-Ugric people and language in Russia — two unrelated senses sharing one name.

How do you pronounce “Mari”?

“Mari” is pronounced MAH-ree (/ˈmɑɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “Mari” in a sentence?

Here is “Mari” used in a sentence: “The Mari have preserved much of their traditional folklore.”

What part of speech is “Mari”?

Depending on how it is used, “Mari” can be a noun and a name.

Is “Mari” a common word?

“Mari” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Mari” have?

“Mari” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the Mari people, a Volga-Finnic ethnic group of the Volga region of Russia.

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