adj
Desi
DAY-see
Desi (adj) means relating to the people, culture, or products of South Asia and its diaspora. Example: “The restaurant serves authentic desi food.”
adj
1
Relating to the people, culture, or products of South Asia and its diaspora.
"The restaurant serves authentic desi food."
noun
1
A person from South Asia or of South Asian descent living abroad.
"Many desis gathered at the festival to celebrate Diwali."
How to use Desi
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to South Asian people or culture, especially outside South Asia itself.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Desis
- Comparative
- more Desi
- Superlative
- most Desi
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The restaurant serves authentic _____ food.
Etymology
From Hindi-Urdu desi, meaning "of the country" or "native," from desh ("country, homeland").
Rhymes for Desi
See all rhymes for Desi →Frequently asked questions
What does “Desi” mean?
The word “Desi” means relating to the people, culture, or products of South Asia and its diaspora. In plain terms, relating to South Asian people or culture, especially outside South Asia itself.
How do you pronounce “Desi”?
“Desi” is pronounced DAY-see (/ˈdeɪ.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “Desi” in a sentence?
Here is “Desi” used in a sentence: “The restaurant serves authentic desi food.”
What part of speech is “Desi”?
Depending on how it is used, “Desi” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Desi” come from?
The word “Desi” comes from Hindi. From Hindi-Urdu desi, meaning "of the country" or "native," from desh ("country, homeland").
How many meanings does “Desi” have?
“Desi” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the people, culture, or products of South Asia and its diaspora.
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