Definition

Proper noun 1. A West African ethnic group: A member of a people primarily inhabiting southwestern Nigeria, as well as parts of Benin and Togo, known for their rich cultural heritage, including art, religion, and social structures. 2. A Niger-Congo language: A Kwa language spoken by the Yoruba people, serving as a major language in Nigeria with millions of native and second-language speakers.

Usage Examples

• Referring to the people:
• Referring to the language:

Advanced Usage

• Cultural and religious context: The term is often used in discussions of the Yoruba diaspora (e.g., in the Americas) and their cultural practices, such as the Yoruba religion (which includes traditions like Ifá and Orisha worship).

Variants and Related Words

• Yoruban (adjective): Pertaining to the Yoruba people, their culture, or their language.

Synonyms

• For the people: There is no direct synonym for the ethnic group. Descriptive phrases like "a member of the Yoruba ethnic group" may be used.
• For the language: There is no direct synonym. It can be referred to as "the Yoruba language."

Notes on Meaning

• Ethnolinguistic group: The term "Yoruba" uniquely describes both a people and their language, making it an ethnolinguistic identifier.
• Not a general term: It is a proper noun and should always be capitalized. It does not refer to a general concept or object but to a specific cultural and linguistic entity.

Noun

1. a Kwa language spoken by the Yoruba in southwestern Nigeria
2. a member of a West African people living chiefly in southwestern Nigeria