# Somali

/səˈmɑɫi/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. relating to Somalia

adjective · CEFR B2

related to the country of Somalia, its people, or its culture.

For teachers: of, from, or pertaining to the nation of Somalia or the Somali ethnic group.

- We enjoyed some traditional Somali tea at the community festival.
- The Somali coastline is the longest on the African mainland, stretching over three thousand kilometres along the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

### 2. a person

noun · CEFR B2

a person from Somalia or someone who belongs to the Somali ethnic group.

For teachers: a person of Somali origin or a citizen of Somalia.

- My neighbor is a Somali who moved here ten years ago.
- The diaspora includes many Somalis who have established successful businesses and vibrant communities across Europe and North America.

### 3. the language

noun · CEFR B2

the language spoken in Somalia and parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti.

For teachers: a Cushitic language that serves as an official language of Somalia and a recognized minority language in neighboring countries.

- He is learning Somali so he can talk to his grandparents.
- Somali was not officially given a written Latin script until 1972, which significantly boosted literacy rates across the country.

### 4. cat breed

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of cat with long hair that is related to the Abyssinian breed.

For teachers: a breed of domestic cat characterized by a long-haired coat and a bushy tail, genetically related to the Abyssinian.

- The Somali is a very active and intelligent breed of cat.
- While the Abyssinian is short-haired, the Somali carries a recessive gene for long hair, resulting in its distinctive fox-like appearance.

## Examples

- She speaks Somali at home.
- The Somali community in London has grown significantly over the last decade.
- Somali poetry relies heavily on oral tradition and rhythmic patterns that have been passed down through generations.

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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.