# Yoruba

/jəˈɹubə/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yoruba
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She is learning to speak Yoruba to connect with her heritage.
- The Yoruba people have a rich history of urban living and complex artistic traditions, particularly in bronze and terracotta.
- Scholars of West African history often study the Yoruba city-states to understand the sophisticated political structures that existed long before the colonial era.

## Usage notes

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

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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.