noun

Mandingo

man-DING-goh

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Mandingo (noun) means a member of a large group of West African peoples living mainly in Mali, Guinea, Senegal, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. The name Mandinka is now generally preferred. Example: “The Mandingo were central to the trading networks of the medieval Mali Empire.”

noun

dated A member of a large group of West African peoples living mainly in Mali, Guinea, Senegal, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. The name Mandinka is now generally preferred.

"The Mandingo were central to the trading networks of the medieval Mali Empire."

dated The Mande language spoken by these peoples, part of the Niger-Congo family.

"He grew up speaking Mandingo at home and French at school."

adjective

dated Of or relating to the Mandinka people, their language or their culture.

"a Mandingo griot"

How to use Mandingo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn older name for the Mandinka people of West Africa and their language.

When to use it

Treated as dated in careful writing; use Mandinka. The word also has slang uses that are offensive and racially loaded, and it is best avoided outside historical or linguistic contexts.

Memory tip

Capitalise it, as with all names of peoples and languages.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

Mandinka → Mande Malinke

Common pairings

Mandingo empire Mandingo people Mandingo language

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “Mandingo” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ were central to the trading networks of the medieval Mali Empire.

Etymology

From Mandinka, the people's own name, by way of Portuguese and French traders' renderings.

Origin: Mande

Synonyms

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Mandinka Malinke Mandingue

Related words

mandinka

Rhymes for Mandingo

lingo dingo bingo Mingo Ringo gringo flamingo

See all rhymes for Mandingo →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Mandingo and Mandinka?

They name the same people and language. Mandinka is the form the people use for themselves and the one preferred in modern writing, while Mandingo is an older external name now considered dated.

Where do the Mandinka people live?

Mainly across West Africa, with the largest populations in Mali, Guinea, Senegal, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast.

Is Mandingo a language or an ethnic group?

Both. The word names a West African people and the Mande language they speak, in the same way that "Yoruba" names both a people and a language.

What is the meaning of Mandingo?

"Mandingo" (noun) means a member of a large group of West African peoples living mainly in Mali, Guinea, Senegal, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. The name Mandinka is now generally preferred.

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