# malays

/məˈɫeɪz/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/malays
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

the people who are the largest ethnic group in Malaysia and Indonesia. They speak a language called Malay and have a long history in the region.

For teachers: the ethnic group native to the Malay Peninsula and surrounding islands, forming the majority of the population in Malaysia and Indonesia. Often used in the plural to refer to the collective group or their cultural heritage.

## Examples

- The Malays have a rich history of seafaring and trade.
- The festival was a celebration of Malay culture, featuring traditional music, dance, and the famous dish nasi lemak.
- Scholars often study the historical migration of the Malays to understand how their maritime networks influenced the spread of Islam and trade across the archipelago.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.