Malay

1. not comparableOf or relating to the Malays, a people living in Brunei and coastal regions of Borneo including Kalimantan in Indonesia, on the eastern coast of Sumatra, the islands of Bangka and Belitung, the Riau archipelago, in most of the Malay Peninsula including the southernmost provinces of Thailand, states of West Malaysia (where they are politically dominant in the federation), and in Singapore.

   “I heard the Malay fellas talking at the office.”

   2008, Preeta Samarasan, Evening is the Whole Day, Fourth Estate, page 124

   1 more example

   There were not many passengers, and the journey was uneventful until the frontier was reached at Padang Besar, although an armed escort of Malay police accompanied the train from Alor Star.

   1955 April, “Notes and News: A Journey through Thailand”, in Railway Magazine, page 286

2. not comparableIn, of or otherwise relating to the languages spoken by Malays.

plural Malays

1. countableA person of Malay ancestry, referring to a diverse group of Austronesian peoples inhabiting the Malay archipelago and Malay peninsula in Southeast Asia.

   Synonyms: Bahasa, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia

2. countableuncountableType of mild curry made with yoghurt and fruit, usually pineapple or lychee.

   She ordered chicken Malay with rice.

1. broadlyThe Malay language, an Austronesian language spoken by most Malay people and by others where it is an official language, including under the name Indonesian.
2. strict senseThe Malay language, an Austronesian language spoken by most Malay people and by others where it is an official language, excluding the national standard known as Indonesian.

   Malay is the lingua franca of several Southeast Asia countries and has been simplified by its use as a second language by non-native speakers. For example, the Malay plural is formed by repeating a word twice – buku means book and buku-buku means books.

   2021 April 25, John Malathronas, “Which languages are easiest – and most difficult – for native English speakers to learn?”, in CNN, archived from the original on 22 Mar 2022

3. A municipality of Aklan, Philippines.

   Meronyms: Argao, Balabag, Balusbus, Cabulihan, Caticlan, Cogon, Cubay Norte, Cubay Sur, Dumlog, Manoc-Manoc, Motag, Naasug, Nabaoy, Napaan, Poblacion, San Viray, Yapak — barangays of Malay