1
: a member of a people of the Malay Peninsula, eastern Sumatra, parts of Borneo, and some adjacent islands
2
: the Austronesian language of the Malays
Malay
adjective
Examples of Malay in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Holy Basil shares a recipe for Thai omelet March 10, 2024
The key to the fragrant and delicious broth lies in the spice paste, made with a technique borrowed from Malay rempahs that are used as a base for curries.
—
Diep Tran, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The tropical island country is off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024
It was listed for $35 million and represented by Brandie Malay Siavelis of @properties Christie's International Real Estate.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024
All were founded by talents from the Cape Malay community, a South African ethnic group with a huge impact on the city's cultural life.
—Sarah Khan, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2024
Due to its extraordinary therapeutic properties, Red Malay is one of the red vein kratom strains that Southeast Asians have been using Red Malay Kratom for centuries.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2024
Both prisoners wore traditional tunics and trousers to court and sat mostly silently in court listening to the proceedings through Malay translation.
—Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2024
Picture a historical novel set on the Malay Peninsula during the 1940s.
—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2023
True to its name, H. maxi is also on the larger end of the new species of soft-furred hedgehogs at 5.5 inches and can be found in mountainous regions on the Malay Peninsula and in Sumatra.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Dec. 2023
Diep Tran, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
The tropical island country is off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024
It was listed for $35 million and represented by Brandie Malay Siavelis of @properties Christie's International Real Estate.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024
All were founded by talents from the Cape Malay community, a South African ethnic group with a huge impact on the city's cultural life.
—Sarah Khan, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2024
Due to its extraordinary therapeutic properties, Red Malay is one of the red vein kratom strains that Southeast Asians have been using Red Malay Kratom for centuries.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2024
Both prisoners wore traditional tunics and trousers to court and sat mostly silently in court listening to the proceedings through Malay translation.
—Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2024
Picture a historical novel set on the Malay Peninsula during the 1940s.
—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2023
True to its name, H. maxi is also on the larger end of the new species of soft-furred hedgehogs at 5.5 inches and can be found in mountainous regions on the Malay Peninsula and in Sumatra.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Malay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
obsolete Dutch Malayo (now Maleier), from Malay Mĕlayu
First Known Use
1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Articles Related to Malay
Dictionary Entries Near Malay
Cite this Entry
“Malay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Malay. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on Malay
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Malay
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