adj
Uncommon
Malay
muh-LAY
Malay (adj) means relating to the Malay people, an ethnic group native to the Malay Peninsula and parts of nearby islands. Example: “The village still follows traditional Malay customs.”
adj
1
Relating to the Malay people, an ethnic group native to the Malay Peninsula and parts of nearby islands.
"The village still follows traditional Malay customs."
noun
1
A member of the Malay ethnic group, or the Malay language itself.
"She grew up speaking Malay at home and English at school."
How to use Malay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to the Malay people, their culture, or their language, mainly spoken in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "Malaysian," which refers to the country of Malaysia and its citizens of any ethnicity.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- Malays
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The village still follows traditional _____ customs.
Etymology
From the Malay word Melayu, originally the name of an ancient kingdom on Sumatra.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Malay
See all rhymes for Malay →Frequently asked questions
What does “Malay” mean?
The word “Malay” means relating to the Malay people, an ethnic group native to the Malay Peninsula and parts of nearby islands. In plain terms, refers to the Malay people, their culture, or their language, mainly spoken in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore.
How do you pronounce “Malay”?
“Malay” is pronounced muh-LAY (/ˈmeɪ̯leɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “Malay” in a sentence?
Here is “Malay” used in a sentence: “The village still follows traditional Malay customs.”
What part of speech is “Malay”?
Depending on how it is used, “Malay” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Malay” come from?
The word “Malay” comes from Malay. From the Malay word Melayu, originally the name of an ancient kingdom on Sumatra.
Is “Malay” a common word?
“Malay” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Malay” have?
“Malay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the Malay people, an ethnic group native to the Malay Peninsula and parts of nearby islands.
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