Niger
Niger (noun) means an African oil-seed plant, also called niger seed, grown for its edible oil and as a common ingredient in birdseed mixes. Example: “The finches at the feeder went straight for the niger seed.”
How to use Niger
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly seen today as the name of the West African country and river, or, in lowercase, as the name of an oily seed used in birdseed.
When capitalized, this is the name of the country and river in West Africa; the country name is pronounced differently from the offensive English slur it superficially resembles in spelling — they are historically and linguistically unrelated.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The finches at the feeder went straight for the _____ seed.
Etymology
The plant name is unrelated to the country; the crop's scientific epithet traces to its dark seed coat. The country name Niger has a disputed origin, often linked by folk etymology to the Latin word for "black," though older theories trace it through Tuareg and Berber phrases meaning something like "river of rivers."
Rhymes for Niger
See all rhymes for Niger →Frequently asked questions
What does “Niger” mean?
The word “Niger” means an African oil-seed plant, also called niger seed, grown for its edible oil and as a common ingredient in birdseed mixes. In plain terms, most commonly seen today as the name of the West African country and river, or, in lowercase, as the name of an oily seed used in birdseed.
How do you pronounce “Niger”?
“Niger” is pronounced NEYE-juh (/ˈnaɪ.d͡ʒɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Niger” in a sentence?
Here is “Niger” used in a sentence: “The finches at the feeder went straight for the niger seed.”
What part of speech is “Niger”?
“Niger” is a noun.
Where does the word “Niger” come from?
The word “Niger” comes from Latin.
Is “Niger” a common word?
“Niger” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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