ENGLISH
REFERENCE

yoruba

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //jəˈɹubə// yoru·ba

n. a large ethnic group from West Africa, mostly living in Nigeria. It also refers to the language they speak.

n. a member of a major West African ethnic group primarily inhabiting southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin and Togo. Also refers to the Benue-Congo language spoken by this group.


SIMPLE

She is learning to speak Yoruba to connect with her heritage.

CONTEXTUAL

The Yoruba people have a rich history of urban living and complex artistic traditions, particularly in bronze and terracotta.

COMPLEX

Scholars of West African history often study the Yoruba city-states to understand the sophisticated political structures that existed long before the colonial era.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Yoruba Yorùbá.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the language; countable when referring to individuals of the ethnic group.

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