# Mali

/ˈmɑɫi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mali
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a country

noun · CEFR B1

a large country in West Africa.

For teachers: a landlocked country in West Africa, formerly a French colony.

- Mali is famous for its ancient city of Timbuktu and its rich musical history.
- The diplomatic mission focused on strengthening trade ties between the European Union and Mali, particularly in the agricultural sector.

### 2. a gardener

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect

a word used in India and South Asia for a gardener.

For teachers: a member of a South Asian caste whose traditional occupation is gardening; used generally for any gardener in the region.

- The mali comes every morning to water the plants in the courtyard.
- In many Indian households, the mali is responsible for maintaining the complex irrigation needs of the tropical garden during the monsoon season.

### 4. a Somali person

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · British English

a slang word for a Somali person, often used in London.

For teachers: a colloquial and often derogatory or highly informal term for a person of Somali descent.

- The song mentions the diverse community, including the local Malis in the area.
- Sociolinguists have noted the emergence of 'Mali' within Multicultural London English as a specific ethno-cultural identifier among youth populations.

## Examples

- We ate fresh mali fruit at the market.
- The farmer harvested the ripe mali before the rainy season began.
- Though often confused with mangoes, the mali offers a distinctively tart flavor profile that pairs exceptionally well with spicy seafood dishes.

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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.