noun

sengi

SENG-gee

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Sengi (noun) means a small, insect-eating, long-nosed mammal native to Africa, belonging to the family Macroscelididae. Example: “A sengi darted through the undergrowth, hunting for insects.”

noun

A small, insect-eating, long-nosed mammal native to Africa, belonging to the family Macroscelididae.

"A sengi darted through the undergrowth, hunting for insects."

"Researchers in East Africa are studying several species of sengi."

"The sengi's long, flexible snout helps it sniff out prey."

How to use sengi

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sengi is a small African mammal with a long, twitchy nose, also called an elephant shrew.

When to use it

It is a specialist, zoological term, more likely to appear in scientific or nature writing than everyday speech.

Memory tip

Despite its old nickname, remember a sengi is not truly related to shrews.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

shrew →

Common pairings

a species of sengi the sengi's long nose native sengi populations

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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 “sengi” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ darted through the undergrowth, hunting for insects.

Etymology

Sengi was borrowed into English from Swahili, where it likely came from another Bantu language, such as the Giryama word sanje.

Origin: Swahili

Synonyms

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elephant shrew

Rhymes for sengi

Ferengi

See all rhymes for sengi →

Frequently asked questions

What is a sengi?

A sengi is a small, long-nosed African mammal that eats insects and is also widely known as an elephant shrew.

Is a sengi the same as a shrew?

No, despite the older name elephant shrew, a sengi is not closely related to true shrews and has a very different evolutionary history.

Why do scientists prefer the name sengi over elephant shrew?

Some zoologists argue sengi is more accurate, since it uses a local African name rather than wrongly linking the animal to shrews.

What is the meaning of sengi?

"sengi" (noun) means a small, insect-eating, long-nosed mammal native to Africa, belonging to the family Macroscelididae.