Zulu, n. & adj.

zulu
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zulu_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2023

# Zulunoun & adjective

## Earlier version

- Zulu, n. and a. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the word Zulu mean?

There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the word Zulu, one of which is considered offensive. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Zulu has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

commercial fishing (1880s) nautical (1880s) fishing (1880s) radio (1950s)

### How common is the word Zulu?

About 2occurrences per million words in modern written English

1820 | 0.012
1830 | 0.032
1840 | 0.22
1850 | 0.54
1860 | 1.2
1870 | 2.5
1880 | 3.3
1890 | 3.3
1900 | 2.5
1910 | 2.0
1920 | 2.0
1930 | 1.9
1940 | 1.9
1950 | 2.2
1960 | 2.4
1970 | 2.6
1980 | 2.4
1990 | 2.3
2000 | 2.2
2010 | 2.2

### How is the word Zulu pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzuːluː/
ZOO-loo

#### U.S. English

/ˈzulu/
ZOO-loo

### Where does the word Zulu come from?

Earliest known use

1820s

The earliest known use of the word Zulu is in the 1820s.

OED's earliest evidence for Zulu is from 1824, in a letter by F. G. Farewell.

Zulu is a borrowing from Zulu.

Etymons: Zulu ‑Zulu.

### Nearby entries

1. zucchetto, n. 1853–
2. zucchini, n. 1916–
3. zuche, n. 1358–1676
4. Zuckerkandl, n. 1910–
5. zufolo, n. 1724–
6. zug, n. 1899–
7. zugtrompete, n. 1978–
8. Zugunruhe, n. 1950–
9. Zugzwang, n. 1904–
10. zule | zulis, n. 1780–
11. Zulu, n. & adj.1824–
12. Zulu, v. 1882–
13. Zuludom, n. 1867–
14. Zulu hat, n. 1879–
15. Zuluize, v. 1852–
16. Zulu time, n. 1959–
17. zumbador, n. 1758–64
18. zumbi, n. 1704–
19. zumboorukchee, n. 1840–
20. Zuñi, n. 1834–
21. zunyite, n. 1885–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Zulu.
Etymon: Zulu ‑Zulu.
< Zulu ‑Zulu, self-designation (in e.g. umZulu Zulu person, amaZulu Zulu people (see amaZulu adj.), isiZulu Zulu language, Zulu culture).

Compare Dutch Zoeloe (1850 or earlier; Afrikaans Zoeloe) and (with…
< Zulu ‑Zulu, self-designation (in e.g. umZulu Zulu person, amaZulu Zulu people (see amaZulu adj.), isiZulu Zulu language, Zulu culture).

Compare Dutch Zoeloe (1850 or earlier; Afrikaans Zoeloe) and (with the form Zoulou) also French zoulou (1847).

Compare amaZulu n. and amaZulu adj.

### Notes

The name of the people in turn comes < ‑Zulu in uZulu, the name of a historical leader (died c1709), ultimately < izulu sky, heaven.
Forms with final ‑a apparently developed within English and may originally reflect a weak pronunciation (in Zulu) of the second vowel of the etymon at the end of a sentence.
Specific senses
In sense A.3 so called with reference to the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 (perhaps originally after the name of a particular ship); news reports of the time suggest Scottish sympathies for the Zulus.
In sense A.5b and Zulu time n. representing the letter Z as the initial letter of zero n., with reference to the zero meridian, by which Greenwich Mean Time is defined.

## Meaning & use

1. noun
   1. 1. 1.a.
         1824–
         A member of a South African people traditionally living mainly in the region that is now KwaZulu-Natal province. Cf. amaZulu n.
         The Zulus formed a powerful military empire in southern Africa during the 19th cent. (cf. Mfecane n.) before being defeated in a series of engagements with Afrikaner and British colonizers, most notably the Anglo-Zulu War (1879).
         1. 1824

            > I communicated with Chaka, king of the Zulus, to whom belongs the whole of the country from Natal to Delagoa Bay.

            F. G. Farewell, Letter September in S. Bannister, Humane Policy (1830) App. p. lii
         2. 1836

            > The country of the Zoolas, eastward of Natal..is much infested with wild beasts.

            N. Isaacs, Trav. & Adventures East Africa vol. II. xvii. 321
         3. 1887

            > The South African native, especially the Zulu, is..naturally honest.

            J. W. Matthews, Incwadi Yami 187
         4. 1941

            > Look at the time these English had with the Zulus, more than a thousand getting themselves killed.

            S. Cloete, Hill of Doves (1969) viii. 131
         5. 2019

            > Thandanani Gumede, a Zulu born in South Africa, told the society that it was not offensive to pay tribute to Zulu culture but it was wrong to use make-up to represent a different skin colour.

            Times (Nexis) 7 November 23
         1. Xhosa 1812–
            Of, relating to, or belonging to the Xhosa or their language.
         2. Morolong 1822–
            = Rolong, adj.
         3. amaXhosa 1824–
            Relating to or designating the amaXhosa or their language; = Xhosa, adj.
         4. Zulu 1824–
            A member of a South African people traditionally living mainly in the region that is now KwaZulu-Natal province. Cf. amaZulu, n.
         5. Sotho 1827–
            Of, relating to, or designating a group of peoples living chiefly in Botswana, Lesotho, and in the central and northern regions of South Africa…
         6. amaZulu 1828–
            Relating to or designating a Bantu people mainly inhabiting KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Cf. Zulu, adj. B.1.
         7. Amapondo 1830–
            Of or relating to this Nguni people, or to the Xhosa dialect spoken by them. See Pondo, adj.
         8. African 1832–
            Of or relating to Africa (originally with reference to the ancient Roman province of Africa; subsequently to the continent as a whole); belonging…
         9. Matabele 1835–
            Of or belonging to the Ndebele people.
         10. knob-nosed 1838–1907
             Designating the Tsonga people of Southern Africa; = knobnose, adj. Chiefly in Knob-nosed Kaffir. Obsolete. Generally regarded as offensive.
         11. Basotho 1840–
             Of, relating to, or designating this people; (also) native to Lesotho.
         12. Manganja 1859–
             Of, relating to, or designating an African people mainly inhabiting southern Malawi, or their Bantu language.
         13. Pondo 1872–
             Of or relating to an Nguni people of the Eastern Cape province in South Africa, or to the Xhosa dialect spoken by them.
         14. Bapedi 1878–
             = Pedi, adj.
         15. Ovambo 1897–
             Of or relating to the Ovambo or their language.
         16. Tsonga 1907–
             Of, relating to, or designating this people or their language.
         17. Venda 1913–
             Of or relating to this people or their language.
         18. Pedi 1922–
             Of, relating to, or designating the Pedi or their language.
         19. Nguni 1929–
             Of or relating to the Nguni or their languages.
         20. Lobedu 1937–
             Of, relating to, or designating the Lobedu or their language.
         21. Mosotho 1955–
             Of or belonging to the Southern Sotho people; native to Lesotho. Cf. Basotho, adj.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. Kaffir 1588–
            Since the mid 20th cent. Kaffir has been considered extremely offensive and is now widely avoided, esp. in South Africa, where its usage is categorized as crimen injuria (crimen injuria, n.) and is thus legally actionable. A member of any of the Nguni peoples of south-eastern Africa; esp. (in later use) a Xhosa. Cf. Nguni, n. A.1, Red Kaffir, n. (b). Now historical and…
         2. Zulu 1824–
            A member of a South African people traditionally living mainly in the region that is now KwaZulu-Natal province. Cf. amaZulu, n.
         3. Mantatee 1833–
            In extended use: a person of Sotho (as opposed to Nguni) origin; esp. (in the Cape Colony) a Sotho refugee.
         4. Basotho 1835–
            A member of a Bantu people of central southern Africa; (subsequently) a citizen or inhabitant of Lesotho (formerly Basutoland). Cf. Mosotho, n.
         5. Mosotho a1838–
            A member of the Southern Sotho people of southern Africa; an inhabitant of Lesotho (formerly Basutoland). Cf. Basotho, n.
         6. knobnose 1839–
            Designating the Tsonga people of Southern Africa. Chiefly in knobnose kaffirs. Generally regarded as offensive.
         7. Manganja 1859–
            A member of the Manganja people; (also) their Bantu language. Also (occasionally): = Nyanja, n.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. 1.b.
         1899–
         Originally and chiefly U.S. derogatory (now usually considered offensive). A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent; a black person. Also more generally: any dark-skinned person.
         1. 1899

            > You can hear the gals declaring, Ain't that Zulu swell.

            I. Jones, I want a Filipino Man (sheet music) 4
         2. 1958

            > If he gets lost it's too bad. I'm not going to freeze to death running around after a Zulu.

            A. Sillitoe, Saturday Night & Sunday Morning xiv. 186
         3. 1967

            > I just didn't care to have any damn zulu saying I didn't do the work right.

            ‘D. Shannon’, Chance to Kill vii. 91
         4. 2009

            > A young Zulu out to make his bones..stuck a spork in his aorta.

            J. Stahl, Pain Killers iv. 39
         U.S. English derogatory offensive
         1. Afric Old English–
            A native or inhabitant of Africa, esp. a black African; = African, n. A.1a.
         2. Ethiop Old English–
            A black or dark-skinned person; a black African; (occasionally) an Ethiopian.
         3. Moor Old English–
            Originally: a native or inhabitant of ancient Mauretania, a region of North Africa corresponding to parts of present-day Morocco and Algeria. Later…
         4. bloman a1225–1400
            A black man.
         5. Ethiopian a1325–
            A native or inhabitant of Ethiopia. Also: †a black or dark-skinned person (obsolete). Cf. earlier Ethiop, n.
         6. blue man a1387–
            A black man; an African; = bloman, n.
         7. Morian a1387–1737
            = Moor, n.² 1.
         8. black man a1398–
            A dark-skinned man, esp. a man of sub-Saharan African or Australian Aboriginal origin or descent. Also: †a dark-haired or swarthy man (obsolete). Cf…
         9. blackamoor a1460–
            Now archaic and offensive. A black person, esp. an African; (formerly) spec. †an Ethiopian (obsolete). Also: any dark-skinned person.
         10. black Morian 1526–99
             = blackamoor, n. 1.
         11. black boy 1530–
             A dark-skinned boy or youth.
         12. molen 1538
             Perhaps: a Moor. Cf. Morian, n.
         13. Nigro 1548–1865
             = Negro, n. & adj.
         14. Nigrite 1554–97
             = Negro, n. A.1a.
         15. Negro 1555–
             A member of a dark-skinned group of peoples originally native to sub-Saharan Africa; a person of black African origin or descent. In early use… The term Negro remained the standard designation throughout the 17th to 19th centuries, and was still used as a standard designation, preferred by prominent black American campaigners such as W. E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington, until the middle years of the 20th cent. With the rise of the Black Power movement in the 1960s, the designation black was reclaimed as an expression of racial pride and, since then, the term Negro (together with related terms such as Negress) has fallen from favour and is now typically regarded as out of date or even offensive in both British and American English. Negro is still, however, used in positive contexts as part of the names of certain organizations, particularly the United Negro College Fund, and in historical context, with reference to baseball's Negro Leagues.
         16. neger 1568–
             Now regional (chiefly Caribbean). Usually derogatory. = Negro, n. A.1a.
         17. nigger 1577–
             This word is one of the most controversial in English, and is liable to be considered offensive or taboo in almost all contexts (even when used as a self-description). A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent; = Negro, n. A.1a. Used by people who are not black as a relatively neutral (or…
         18. Kaffir 1607–
             offensive. A black person, esp. one from southern Africa. In later use derogatory. Now chiefly historical.
         19. black 1614–
             Also with capital initial. A member of any dark-skinned group of peoples, esp. a person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent. Also (esp. Austr…
         20. thicklips a1616–
             A person or animal characterized as having thick or full lips. Sometimes in derogatory and offensive use as term or name for a black person (esp. in…
         21. Hubshee a1627–
             An Abyssinian (now historical); an Ethiopian.
         22. black African 1633–
             a. n. A dark-skinned African; esp. one who is a native or inhabitant of sub-Saharan Africa (cf. black Africa, n.); b. adj. of or relating to…
         23. Sambo 1657–
             Originally (disparaging): used as a nickname for a black person. Later (derogatory and offensive): used as a hostile or contemptuous term for a…
         24. blackface 1704–
             Originally and chiefly U.S. A dark-skinned person. Also without article, as if a name. Now rare and offensive.
         25. Cuffy 1713–
             (A name or nickname for) a black person (esp. a man). Cf. Cuff, n.⁵ 1. Now rare. Often in patronizing or derogatory use, and now usually regarded as offensive.
         26. Nigritian 1738–
             Originally: a native or inhabitant of Nigritia, a region in central Africa corresponding to present-day Sudan and several countries to the west of…
         27. fellow 1753–1860
             North American (U.S. regional (southern) in later use) disparaging. A black man. Obsolete.
         28. Cuff 1755–
             (A name or nickname for) a black person (esp. a man); = Cuffy, n. 1. Now rare. Often in patronizing or derogatory use, and now usually regarded as offensive.
         29. blacky 1759–
             A black person. Frequently without article, as though a proper name. Now offensive.
         30. mungo 1768–
             A black person, esp. a slave. Also used as a proper name.
         31. Quashie 1774–
             Caribbean (offensive and chiefly derogatory). A generic name for: a black person, esp. one considered as credulous or insignificant.
         32. darkie?1775–
             Originally North American. A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent. Now colloquial and often offensive or derogatory (see…
         33. snowball 1785–
             derogatory and offensive. (An insulting name or term of abuse for) a black person.
         34. blue skin 1788–
             derogatory. A black person or a person of mixed black and white descent. Now rare.
         35. Moriscan 1794
             A Moor. rare.
         36. sooty 1820–
             offensive (usually derogatory or disparaging). A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent; a black person. Sometimes also more…
         37. sooterkin 1821–
             transferred. Chiefly applied to persons in allusive senses; sometimes = Dutchman. Also attributive.
         38. blackfellow 1827–
             An Australian Aboriginal man or (occasionally) woman. Now frequently considered offensive.
         39. ebony 1830–
             Originally U.S. A black person; (now usually) a black woman, spec. one with very dark skin. Now colloquial and offensive outside of black usage.
         40. nig c1832–
             Used chiefly as a term of abuse or contempt, this word is likely to be considered racially offensive or taboo in almost all contexts (even when used as a self-description). colloquial and derogatory (chiefly U.S.). = nigger, n. (in various senses).
         41. Jim Crow 1835–
             derogatory and offensive. (A name for) a black person. Now rare.
         42. tar brush 1838–
             derogatory and offensive. A black or dark-skinned person.
         43. tar baby 1839–
             derogatory and offensive. U.S. A black person, esp. a child having skin that is considered to be particularly dark.
         44. dark-skin 1845–
             Usually derogatory and offensive. A black or dark-skinned person; spec. (Australian) a person of Australian Aboriginal origin or descent. (obsolete).
         45. moke c1847–
             U.S. derogatory (offensive). A black person. Also (in extended use): a dark-skinned person of any race. Now rare.
         46. coon 1848–
             slang (derogatory and offensive). A black person; a person of African origin or descent; an African American person.
         47. dinge 1848–
             slang (offensive and derogatory). Cf. sense B U.S. A black person; (sometimes) spec. a black musician. Cf. dingy, n.
         48. dark meat 1849–
             U.S. slang. derogatory. A black or dark-skinned person regarded as a sexual object; black or dark-skinned people considered collectively, regarded as…
         49. monkey 1849–
             Originally U.S. (derogatory and offensive). A non-white or dark-skinned person.
         50. dark 1853–
             A member of a black or dark-skinned group of people. Now rare (usually derogatory and offensive in later use).
         51. Sam 1854–
             Originally and chiefly U.S. Usually disparaging or derogatory. Now likely to be considered offensive. A black man; (more generally) a black person; spec. one who is considered to be demeaningly obedient or deferential to white people (cf. Uncle Tom, n.…
         52. ebon 1859–
             U.S. A black person. Now rare, archaic, and likely to be considered offensive.
         53. Negroid 1860–
             Originally Ethnology. Now dated and potentially offensive. A person of this physical type.
         54. kink 1865–
             U.S. slang (derogatory and offensive) A black person. Now rare.
         55. schvartze 1886–
             slang (now offensive). In Jewish usage: a black person.
         56. fuzzy-wuzzy 1890–
             derogatory and offensive. Chiefly in colonial and imperial contexts: a member of a non-white Indigenous people, esp. a black African person (often…
         57. Rastus 1895–
             U.S. slang. derogatory and offensive. A nickname for: a hypothetically average or typical African American man.
         58. dingy 1896–
             U.S. slang. (offensive and derogatory). A black person. Cf. sense A.2b, dinge, n.² A.3a. Now somewhat rare.
         59. race man 1896–
             A black man, esp. one who (strongly) advocates the rights of black people; a supporter of black nationalism; cf. race woman, n.
         60. jig walk 1899–
             A black person; an African American person. Now rare. In later use often avoided as liable to be considered derogatory and offensive owing to association with jig, n.²
         61. Zulu 1899–
             Originally and chiefly U.S. derogatory (now usually considered offensive). A dark-skinned person of sub-Saharan African origin or descent; a black…
         62. possum 1900–
             slang (usually derogatory). U.S. (offensive). An African American.
         63. golliwog 1903–
             British slang. offensive. A black or dark-skinned person, esp. a person of African origin or descent. Cf. wog, n.¹ 1a.
         64. shine 1908–
             An abusive term for a black person. Also attributive. U.S. slang.
         65. spade 1910–
             slang (originally U.S.). A black person, spec. a dark-skinned black person. Chiefly derogatory and offensive, esp. when used by non-black speakers.
         66. jong 1912–
             offensive. (A patronizing or derogatory term for) a black or Coloured (coloured, adj. A.I.3d) man or boy. Also as a form of address.
         67. smoke 1913–
             An abusive and offensive term for a black person. U.S. slang.
         68. jazzbo 1918–
             A black person. Frequently disparaging.
         69. eight ball 1919–
             U.S. slang (derogatory and offensive). A black person.
         70. boogie 1923–
             U.S. slang. derogatory and offensive. Now somewhat rare. A black person.
         71. jig 1924–
             U.S. slang. Chiefly derogatory and offensive (see note). A black person. Cf. jigaboo, n.
         72. jigaboo 1924–
             slang (chiefly U.S.). Chiefly derogatory and offensive (see note). A black person. Cf. jig, n.²
         73. melanoderm 1924–
             A member of a dark-skinned people.
         74. monkey chaser 1925–
             a. U.S. slang (offensive), a black person from the Caribbean or other tropical region; b. colloquial a drink of sweetened gin (see quot. 1952).
         75. jit 1931–
             U.S. slang. derogatory and offensive. Now rare. A black person; esp. a black woman.
         76. Afro 1942–
             A (British or American) person of African descent; a black person.
         77. nigra 1944–
             U.S. colloquial and regional (chiefly southern). Usually offensive. = Negro, n.
         78. tar pot 1944–
             U.S. slang (derogatory and offensive). A black person; esp. a black child. Cf. tar baby, n. 1a. Now rare.
         79. spook 1945–
             slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). A derogatory term for a black person.
         80. munt 1948–
             slang. derogatory and offensive. Among some white people in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, an insulting term for: a black African.
         81. Tom 1956–
             A familiar shortening of the male forename Thomas. Originally U.S. slang. derogatory. Chiefly in African American usage. A black person regarded…
         82. boot 1957–
             slang. offensive. A derogatory term for a black person.
         83. soul brother 1957–
             colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.). In African American usage: a black man or boy, esp. as regarded by other black people. Cf. soul sister, n.…
         84. golly 1959–
             British slang (offensive). A black or dark-skinned person, esp. a person of African origin or descent. Cf. golliwog, n. 2.
         85. nig-nog 1959–
             British slang. derogatory and offensive. A black or dark-skinned person. Also attributive or as adj.
         86. member 1962–
             U.S. slang. A black person, esp. one regarded as a compatriot.
         87. pork chop 1963–
             U.S. slang (derogatory). In black nationalist contexts: a corrupt or untrustworthy black person, esp. a black nationalist who regards African culture…
         88. splib 1964–
             U.S. slang. Frequently derogatory and offensive, esp. outside African American usage. A black person.
         89. blood 1965–
             slang (originally and chiefly in African American usage). Also with capital initial. A black person; (occasionally) (with the) black people…
         90. jungle bunny 1966–
             derogatory and offensive. A black person.
         91. non-voter 1966–
             South African colloquial (ironic). In urban (esp. township) use: a black person. Now historical.
         92. moolinyan 1967–
             U.S. slang. offensive. Among Italian Americans: a black person. Cf. moolie, n.
         93. boogaloo 1972–
             U.S. slang. derogatory and offensive. Now rare. A black person. Cf. boogie, n.²
         94. pongo 1972–
             derogatory and offensive. A black person. rare.
         95. nappy head 1973–
             U.S. slang (derogatory). A black person.
         96. moolie 1988–
             U.S. slang. offensive. Among Italian Americans: = moolinyan, n.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 2.
      1838–
      A language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken in South Africa, esp. in the region traditionally inhabited by the Zulus; the language of the Zulus.
      1. 1838

         > Andries..possessed a smattering of zooloo, and we thus hoped to be able to proceed without the aid of a sworn interpreter.

         W. C. Harris, Narr. Exped. South Africa xv. 139
      2. 1861

         > The Zulu for dog is commonly spelt inja.

         J. W. Colenso, Zulu-English Dictionary p. v
      3. 1973

         > Bill..grew up in Natal and learned Zulu along with English.

         Drum (Johannesburg) 8 January 14
      4. 2020

         > Each interview was conducted in Zulu and lasted on average two hours.

         Journal Comparative Family Studies vol. 51 6
      1. Kaffir 1588–
         Since the mid 20th cent. Kaffir has been considered extremely offensive and is now widely avoided, esp. in South Africa, where its usage is categorized as crimen injuria (crimen injuria, n.) and is thus legally actionable. Of, relating to, or belonging to the Nguni peoples of south-eastern Africa, or their languages; designating a member of any of these peoples, esp…
      2. Kongo 1597–
         Of or relating to the Kongo (see sense B.1) or their languages and dialects. Also: of or relating to the Kingdom of Kongo or its inhabitants.
      3. Xhosa 1812–
         Of, relating to, or belonging to the Xhosa or their language.
      4. Amapondo 1830–
         Of or relating to this Nguni people, or to the Xhosa dialect spoken by them. See Pondo, adj.
      5. Zulu 1835–
         Designating the language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken by the Zulu people; of, relating to, or written in this language. Cf…
      6. Zulu 1838–
         A language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken in South Africa, esp. in the region traditionally inhabited by the Zulus; the…
      7. Sesotho 1844–
         Of, relating to, or in the Bantu language spoken by the Basotho of central southern Africa. Cf. Basotho, adj., Sotho, adj.
      8. Swahilian 1846–
         Of, belonging to, or relating to the Swahili or their language.
      9. Chagga 1847–
         Of, belonging to, or relating to the Chagga or their language.
      10. Kikuyu 1850–
          Of, relating to, or belonging to the Kikuyu or their language.
      11. Kiswahili 1850–
          Of or relating to Kiswahili.
      12. Bantu 1858–
          Of or relating to a family of Niger-Congo languages spoken in central and southern Africa, including Swahili, Zulu, Kongo, Kikuyu, and Luganda… The word Bantu became a strongly offensive term under the old apartheid regime in South Africa, especially when used to refer to a single individual. In standard current use in South Africa the term black or African is used as a collective or non-specific term for African peoples. The term Bantu has, however, continued to be accepted as a neutral ‘scientific’ term outside South Africa used to refer to the group of languages and their speakers collectively.
      13. Fan 1861–
          Of or pertaining to this people or their language.
      14. Swahilized 1870–
          (Esp. of words) containing elements from Swahili; influenced by or adapted to Swahili culture.
      15. Amandebele 1872–
          = Ndebele, adj.
      16. Nyamwezi 1872–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Bantu language spoken by an African people of western Tanzania.
      17. Wagogo 1878–
          = Gogo, adj.¹
      18. Lunda 1879–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Lunda or their language.
      19. Luganda 1882–
          Of or relating to Luganda.
      20. Sotho 1883–
          Of, relating to, or designating the language of these peoples.
      21. Gogo 1891–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Gogo or their language.
      22. Tonga 1891–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Tonga of Zambia and Zimbabwe or their language.
      23. Chichewa 1897–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Bantu language of the Chewa people. Cf. Chewa, adj.
      24. Ronga 1897–
          Of or relating to the Ronga or their language.
      25. Bemba 1904–
          Of or belonging to the Bantu language of the Bemba (see sense B.2); written or spoken in this language; (also) designating this language.
      26. Ila 1907–
          Of or relating to this people or their language.
      27. Tsonga 1907–
          Of, relating to, or designating this people or their language.
      28. Meru 1908–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Meru, or their language.
      29. Chewa 1909–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Chewa or their language. Cf. Chichewa, adj.
      30. Kinyarwanda 1912–
          Of, belonging to, relating to the Kinyarwanda language.
      31. Venda 1913–
          Of or relating to this people or their language.
      32. Lingala 1922–
          Of or relating to this language.
      33. Luba 1922–
          Of or relating to the Luba or their languages.
      34. Pedi 1922–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Pedi or their language.
      35. Nyanja 1923–
          Of or relating to the Nyanja or their language.
      36. Nguni 1929–
          Of or relating to the Nguni or their languages.
      37. Ndebele 1930–
          Of or relating to the Ndebele or their language.
      38. Tumbuka 1933–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Tumbuka or their language.
      39. Lobedu 1937–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Lobedu or their language.
      40. Mongo 1961–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Mongo or their language.
      41. Siswati 1964–
          Of, belonging to, or designating this language; written in or using this language.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. Zulu 1838–
         A language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken in South Africa, esp. in the region traditionally inhabited by the Zulus; the…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 3.
      1881–
      A type of fishing boat in common use in Scotland, esp. on the firths of Moray and Clyde, from c1880 until the beginning of the 20th cent. Also more fully Zulu boat. Now historical.
      Zulus were built with two masts, a straight prow, and a markedly raked stern.
      1. 1881

         > Mr Alexander Watson, who recently leased the building yard of Duffus Hillock, has just launched a so-called Zulu boat.

         Banffshire Advertiser 29 December
      2. 1883

         > Amongst the other intending Scotch exhibitors are Captain Swinbourne of Ardgour,..and Peterkin & Co., of Elgin, who will show a Zulu boat fully equipped.

         Glasgow Herald 3 January 6/1
      3. 1905

         > A place for biggin heerin' boats Zulus, Fifies—best afloat.

         Banffshire Journal 28 March
      4. 1952

         > She was a seventy-foot ‘zulu’, lugsail-rigged, and with two Kelvin paraffin engines.

         G. Maxwell, Harpoon at Venture (1955) ii. 37
      5. 2022

         > Some Zulus were temporarily beached on the western shore of the Bay when their crews went to fight in the First World War.

         N. Thomson, Moray Way Companion (e-book edition)
      commercial fishing nautical historical
      1. spindlers-boat 1243–1365
         Some kind of fishing-boat.
      2. manfare 1326
         A small fishing boat. Obsolete. rare.
      3. stall boat 1328–1720
         A kind of fishing-boat, placed at anchor at the mouth of a river.
      4. dogger 1338–
         A sturdy two-masted fishing vessel with bluff bows (bluff, adj. 1a), resembling a ketch, formerly used for deep sea fishing in the North Sea. Now…
      5. hackboat 1344–1475
         Some kind of small ship. Cf. hagboat, n. 1.
      6. fisher 1416–
         General use as a modifier designating vessels or equipment used for fishing, as fisher bark, fisher ship, etc. Cf. fisher net, n., fisher boat, n.
      7. fishing a1450–
         As a modifier, designating vessels or equipment used for fishing, as in fishing boat, fishing gear, fishing ship, etc.
      8. drag boat 1482–
         Originally Scottish, now chiefly North American. A fishing boat that uses a dragnet or fishing dredge. Cf. dredge-boat, n.
      9. coble 1493–
         A sea fishing-boat with a flat bottom, square stern, and rudder extending 4 or 5 feet below the bottom, rowed with three pairs of oars, and…
      10. peter-boat 1540–
          On the Thames and the coasts around its estuary: a heavy clinker-built fishing boat, decked forward and aft and ranging from about twelve to…
      11. monger 1558–90
          A kind of fishing vessel.
      12. trimboat 1558–9
          Some kind of fishing-boat used in the 16th cent. on the Thames.
      13. shotter 1580
          A large sea-fishing boat.
      14. crab-skuit 1614
          A small open fishing-boat with sails.
      15. fly-boat 1614–1794
          A fishing boat used in Shetland, a buss. Obsolete.
      16. canter a1642
          A kind of Spanish fishing-boat.
      17. dogger-boat 1646–
      18. cag 1666–67
          A small fishing-vessel. (Dutch kaag.) Obsolete.
      19. yawl 1670–
          A small kind of fishing-boat.
      20. barca-longa 1681–
          ‘A large Spanish fishing-boat, navigated with lug-sails, and having two or three masts..common in the Mediterranean.’ Falconer Dict. Marine 1789.
      21. hogboat 1784–
          A relatively small, broad-bodied, decked boat with a narrow transom, leeboards, and a two-masted spritsail rig, used until the late 19th cent. for…
      22. hooker 1801–
          A one-masted fishing smack on the Irish coast and south-west of England, similar to a hoy in build. Also attributive.
      23. hatch-boat 1828–
          A small sailing boat chiefly used for fishing, with a large well in the centre for transporting fish alive, movable planks or boards for covering…
      24. pinkie 1840–
          A small sailing vessel, usually having a narrow, pointed stern; = pink, n.² a.
      25. pookhaun 1851–
          A small fishing boat which can be either rowed or sailed, having a single mast with a dipping lug sail. Cf. hooker, n.² 2.
      26. garookuh 1855–
          (See quots.)
      27. jigger 1860–
          Nautical. A small vessel of the smack type furnished with a ‘jigger’ sail: see II.2b; a similar vessel used as a fishing-vessel on the N.E. coast…
      28. Norwegian 1872–3
          U.S. A kind of fishing boat used on the Great Lakes (see quots.). Obsolete.
      29. scaf 1877–
          A light boat, skiff. Also attributive in scaffy boat. Chiefly Scottish. Now Historical.
      30. Zulu 1881–
          A type of fishing boat in common use in Scotland, esp. on the firths of Moray and Clyde, from 1880 until the beginning of the 20th cent. Also more…
      31. mule coble 1883–
          = mule, n.¹ II.5c.
      32. dragger 1884–
          spec. North American. A fishing boat that uses a dragnet or fishing dredge. Frequently with modifying word indicating the type of fish or shellfish…
      33. mule 1884–
          In technical applications: something which combines aspects of two different sources. English regional (northern). A boat combining the…
      34. novy 1885–
          A type of Nova Scotian fishing boat.
      35. tosher 1885–
          A small fishing smack.
      36. skipjack 1887–
          U.S. A kind of sailing boat (see quot. 1976). Also attributive.
      37. fleeter 1888–
          One who is engaged in ‘fleeting’ (see fleeting, n.³). Also, a boat intended for ‘fleeting’.
      38. rodney 1895–
          Canadian (originally and chiefly Newfoundland). A small fishing boat, typically round-bottomed with a square stern; a small punt. Now chiefly histo…
      39. couta boat 1896–
          A boat used to fish for barracuda; spec. a fast sailing vessel of the type originally used for barracuda fishing, but now sailed recreationally.
      40. mutton-ham boat 1899–
          U.S. regional (North Carolina). Usually with hyphen. A large triangular sail used on certain fishing boats; = leg-of-mutton sail at leg of mutton…
      41. nobby 1899–
          A small single-masted sailing boat of a type used esp. for fishing in the Irish Sea. Cf. nabbie, n.
      42. sinagot 1927–
          A two-masted Breton fishing-boat.
      43. sport fisherman 1937–
          a. A person who engages in sportfishing; b. a seagoing boat equipped for sportfishing.
      44. sport fisher 1940–
          a. = sport fisherman, n. (a); b. = sport fisherman, n. (b).
      45. ski-boat 1964–
          a. South African a raftlike boat with two outboard motors used esp. for offshore fishing; b. a small powerboat used for towing water-skiers.
      46. belly boat 1976–
          A small, light, inflatable watercraft in which a person sits with his or her legs in the water, typically used for fishing in areas of still water…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   4. 4.
      1886–
      Angling. A type of artificial fly.
      1. 1886

         > Mr. H. A. Beck, chub and dace from same water, using a small brown Palmer dry, also a Zulu fly.

         Anglers' Journal 10 July 330/1
      2. 1898

         > General utility flies... Such are the red tag, the Zulu, the blue dun, the snipewing.

         Speaker 29 October 515
      3. 1920

         > The favourite flies are the Alder, Wickham's Fancy, Zulu, Blue Dun and Cochbonddu.

         Country Life 10 July 69/2
      4. 2013

         > Older Zulus were always tied very thick, but it would seem that the lighter-hackled versions of today are more effective.

         B. Hansford-Steele, Fishing Flies for Africa (e-book edition)
      fishing
      1. moor fly late Old English–1653
         a. A kind of fly (not identified); b. Angling a kind of artificial fly (cf. moorish fly, n.).
      2. drake-fly a1450–
         †a. An artificial fly dressed with breast feathers of a drake (obsolete); b. a may-fly, used in angling.
      3. dub-fly a1450–1681
         An artificial fly: also dub-fly.
      4. dun cut 1496–
      5. dun fly 1496–
         Angling. Any of various artificial flies used as a lure in imitation of dusky-coloured natural flies; (hence also) used as a name for such natural…
      6. louper 1496
         Some kind of artificial fly.
      7. yellow fly 1496–
         Any of various flies or stoneflies which are yellow or yellowish in colour; (also) an artificial fly made in imitation of this.
      8. red fly 1616–
         A kind of artificial fly which is predominantly red in colour (see quot. 1787).
      9. moorish fly 1635–1812
         An artificial fly for fishing.
      10. palmer 1653–
          Angling. An artificial fly covered with bristling hairs or fibres, esp. from a hackle wound in an open spiral along the length of the shank…
      11. palmer fly 1653–
      12. red hackle 1653–
          A kind of artificial fly with a predominantly red body and dressed with a red hackle feather (cf. hackle, n.² 4a).
      13. red palmer 1653–
          A kind of artificial fly dressed with a red hackle feather (cf. palmer, n.¹ 2b).
      14. shell-fly 1653–
          A kind of fly; an angler's artificial fly (see quots.).
      15. orange fly 1662–
          Angling. A fly with an orange body and black wings, used as bait; an artificial fly imitating this. Now rare.
      16. blackfly 1669
          Any dark-coloured insect, esp. a dark-coloured beetle. Obsolete.
      17. dun 1676–
          Angling. Any of various artificial flies used as a lure in imitation of dusky-coloured natural flies, esp. a mayfly in the subimago stage; (hence…
      18. dun hackle 1676–
      19. hackle 1676–
          Angling. An artificial fly constructed with a hackle feather wound around one end of the body, typically to imitate the legs of an insect; a…
      20. mayfly 1676–
          Angling. A stonefly; (also) an artificial fly made in imitation of this.
      21. peacock fly 1676–
          A kind of artificial fly dressed with a peacock's feather; cf. peacock hackle, n.
      22. thorn-tree fly 1676–
          A March trout-fly, a thorn-fly or hawthorn-fly, n.
      23. turkey-fly 1676
          A kind of angler's fly: cf. turkey, n.² 4.
      24. violet-fly 1676–
          An artificial fly used in angling.
      25. whirling dun 1676–
          Names of artificial flies used in angling.
      26. badger fly 1681–
          An artificial fly made with badger hairs.
      27. greenfly 1686–
          Angling. Chiefly in form green fly. A kind of artificial fly.
      28. moorish brown 1689–1799
          = moorish fly, n.
      29. hearth fly 1696–1882
          A kind of artificial fly of a dark grey colour.
      30. prime dun 1696–1799
          (In full prime dun fly) an artificial fly with wings made from a primary feather.
      31. sandfly 1700–
          An artificial fly used in angling.
      32. grey midge 1724–
          A small grey artificial fly.
      33. whirling blue 1747–
          = whirling dun, n.
      34. dun drake?1758–
      35. death drake 1766–
          An adult male of the common mayfly Ephemera vulgata, which is dark in colour; (also) an artificial fly made in imitation of this.
      36. hackle fly 1786–
          = hackle, n.² 4a.
      37. badger 1787–1828
          Angling. = badger fly, n. Obsolete.
      38. blue 1787
          Any of various animals and plants having a blue or bluish colour.
      39. camel-brown 1787–
          An artificial fly used in angling.
      40. spinner 1787–
          Angling. One or other of several flies, or artificial imitations of these, used esp. in trout-fishing.
      41. brown-fly?1789–
          An artificial fly used in angling.
      42. midge 1799–
          Angling. An artificial fly resembling a midge.
      43. night-fly 1799–
          Angling. An artificial fly used in night-fishing.
      44. thorn-fly 1799–
          A kind of artificial fly.
      45. turkey 1799
          Angling. Short for turkey-fly, n. Obsolete.
      46. withy-fly 1799
          An artificial fly used in angling.
      47. grayling fly 1811–
          An artificial fly used in grayling fishing.
      48. sun fly 1820–
          a. Any of various hoverflies (family Syrphidae), esp. Helophilus pendulus, which has black and yellow stripes on the thorax and abdomen, and is…
      49. coachman 1828–
          Angling. A kind of artificial fly, typically tied with a dark body of peacock herl, a brown or red heckle, and backwards slanting white wings. Also…
      50. cock-a-bondy 1835–
          Angling. Also with capital initial(s). An artificial fly intended to imitate or thought to resemble the garden chafer (see sense 2), typically…
      51. brown moth 1837–
          An artificial fly used in angling by night.
      52. bunting-lark fly 1837–
          An angler's fly.
      53. governor 1837–
          Angling. A winged artificial fly used in trout-fishing.
      54. water-hen hackle 1837–
          An artificial fly made from the hackle feathers of a moorhen.
      55. Waterloo fly 1837
          An artificial fly with blue wings.
      56. soldier palmer 1839–
          An artificial fly used in angling.
      57. blue jay 1843–
          Angling. An artificial fishing fly of a blue colour.
      58. red tag 1850–
          A kind of artificial fly with a green body, red hackle, and a red tag or tuft at the tail.
      59. canary 1855–1904
          Angling. A kind of artificial fly which is predominantly yellow in colour. Obsolete.
      60. white-tip 1856–
          Angling. A type of artificial fly. Now rare.
      61. spider 1857–
          A species of artificial fly used in angling; a hackle-fly.
      62. bumble 1859–
          Angling. In fly fishing: a type of brightly coloured palmer (palmer, n.¹ 2b).
      63. doctor 1860–
          Angling. A type of artificial fishing fly.
      64. ibis 1863–
          Angling. The name of a type of artificial fly; now more usually applied to a sort of red-dyed feather used in making this type of fly.
      65. Jock Scott 1866–
          A large, colourful type of artificial fly made from a variety of different feathers, typically used for catching salmon; a fly of this type. Cf. Jack…
      66. eagle 1867–
          Angling. An artificial fly dressed with a downy hackle feather from an eagle. Now historical.
      67. highlander 1867–
          Angling. A kind of artificial fly, typically used in salmon fishing. Now esp. in green highlander.
      68. jay 1867–
          Angling. Name of a variety of artificial fly.
      69. John Scott 1867–
          A kind of artificial fly used in salmon fishing; cf. Jock Scott, n.
      70. judge 1867–
          Angling. A kind of artificial fly for salmon fishing.
      71. parson 1867
          Angling. A kind of artificial fly. Obsolete. rare.
      72. priest 1867–
          Angling. A kind of artificial fly.
      73. snow-fly 1867–
          One or other of several species of small insects frequenting snow (also, an artificial fly used in angling); esp. one of the genus Achorutes.
      74. Jack Scott 1874–
          A large, colourful type of artificial fly typically used for catching salmon; a fly of this type; = Jock Scott, n.
      75. Alexandra 1875–
          Angling. = Alexandra fly n. at sense I.3.
      76. silver doctor 1875–
          An artificial fishing fly having a body of tinsel.
      77. Alexandra fly 1882–
          An artificial fly having peacock feathers attached to a red or silver body, used esp. for trout fishing.
      78. Zulu 1886–
          Angling. A type of artificial fly.
      79. grackle 1894–
          Angling. The name of an artificial fly.
      80. grizzly queen 1894–
          grizzly king, grizzly queen: the names of artificial flies for angling.
      81. heckle-fly 1897
          Angling. An artificial fly constructed with a hackle feather; = hackle, n.² 4a. Also heckle-fly. Obsolete.
      82. thunder and lightning 1910–
          Angling. A variety of artificial fly.
      83. streamer 1919–
          transferred. Angling. A fly with feathers attached, which simulates a small fish; also, the feathers so employed. Frequently attributive, chiefly as…
      84. Devon 1924–
          Angling. The name of an artificial fly.
      85. peacock 1950–
          Angling = peacock fly, n.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   5. 1. 5.a.
         1952–
         Used to represent the letter Z in radio communication.
         1. 1952

            > Z..Zulu.

            Radio Navigational Aids (U.S. Hydrographic Office) ix. 377
         2. 2020

            > Control this is Zulu Echo Seven Five. I need a PNC check.

            C. Revell, Soul to Take (e-book, accessed 16 Sept. 2022) xix
         radio
         1. call signal 1853–
            a. A signal, typically an audible one, that a telegraphic message has arrived, or that there is a telephone call to be answered (now rare); b. = call…
         2. call letter 1876–
            A letter of the alphabet comprising (part of) a call sign (call sign, n.).
         3. call sign 1896–
            a. A signal that a telephone call is being made (now rare); b. a name or code used in radio communication to identify a person, ship, aircraft, or…
         4. ten signal 1951–
            Any of the signals that form part of the ten-code (see above).
         5. Zulu 1952–
            Used to represent the letter Z in radio communication.
         6. good buddy 1956–
            A form of address used (originally) between male friends or (now usually) fellow users of Citizens' Band radio.
         7. ten-code 1969–
            A code of signals (all beginning with the number ten) originally used in radio communication by police in the U.S. and later adopted by Citizens'…
         8. twenty 1975–
            Citizens' Band Radio slang. (One's) location or position. Originally and chiefly U.S.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. 5.b.
         1956–
         An informal name for: Greenwich Mean Time, and (subsequently) Universal Time. Cf. Zulu time n.
         1. 1956

            > Time One Six Three Zero Zulu.

            General Communications (U. S. Navy Department Bureau of Naval Personnel) vi. 67/2
         2. 1960

            > We'll have a meal..at twenty-three zulu—at eleven o'clock English time.

            ‘N. Shute’, Trustee from Toolroom 104
         3. 1976

            > ‘Check Zulu 10.50.28,’ he said, using airmen's and Air Traffic Control jargon for time... ‘Okay. The line after Zulu 10.50.30.’

            B. Jackson, Flameout (1977) v. 90
         4. 2014

            > Let me check, it's 2200 hours Zulu, that's 10 O'clock PM for some of us.

            R. Gilmore, Bina Luna 27
2. adjective
   1. 1.
      1827–
      Of, belonging to, or characteristic of the Zulus or their culture.
      1. 1827

         > The whole armed force of the Zoola nation is estimated..to amount to nearly 100,000 men.

         G. Thompson, Travels South Africa i. xvii. 202
      2. 1863

         > They much resemble the Zulu huts, but have larger doorways.

         W. C. Baldwin, African Hunting iii. 75
      3. ?1948

         > Where the music is genuinely of Zulu origin, composed in the tradition of Zulu music, we have classified it as ‘Country Zulu’.

         H. Tracey, Lalela Zulu: 100 Zulu Lyrics p. v
      4. 1977

         > Traditional English, Indian and Mauritian influences have married with..indigenous Zulu dishes.

         Fair Lady (Cape Town) 8 June (Supplement) 28
      5. 2018

         > [The curators] have crafted this exhibition to highlight the fact that traditional Zulu society has never been monolithic in terms of their usage of body adornment as a form of cultural expression.

         Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) (Nexis) 23 February
   2. 2.
      1835–
      Designating the language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken by the Zulu people; of, relating to, or written in this language. Cf. sense A.2.
      1. 1835

         > There acquire a knowledge of the Zoolah language before entering the territory of Dingaan.

         Rep. Amer. Board Commissioners Foreign Missions 38
      2. 1850

         > All the remaining characters of the Zulu alphabet have the same power as the same letters in English.

         J. S. Christopher, Natal App. 137
      3. 1869

         > The Zulu noun a-ba-ntu ‘men, people’.

         W. H. I. Bleek in R. Noble, Cape & its People 272
      4. a1951

         > He laughed to hear the elderly black woman emit a long string of Zulu swear-words.

         H. C. Bosman, Willemsdorp (1977) 63
      5. 2008

         > The manner in which Fuze's Abantu Abamnyama has been read as an inaugural text of Zulu literature.

         Journal Relig. in Africa vol. 38 313
      1. Kaffir 1588–
         Since the mid 20th cent. Kaffir has been considered extremely offensive and is now widely avoided, esp. in South Africa, where its usage is categorized as crimen injuria (crimen injuria, n.) and is thus legally actionable. Of, relating to, or belonging to the Nguni peoples of south-eastern Africa, or their languages; designating a member of any of these peoples, esp…
      2. Kongo 1597–
         Of or relating to the Kongo (see sense B.1) or their languages and dialects. Also: of or relating to the Kingdom of Kongo or its inhabitants.
      3. Xhosa 1812–
         Of, relating to, or belonging to the Xhosa or their language.
      4. Amapondo 1830–
         Of or relating to this Nguni people, or to the Xhosa dialect spoken by them. See Pondo, adj.
      5. Zulu 1835–
         Designating the language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken by the Zulu people; of, relating to, or written in this language. Cf…
      6. Zulu 1838–
         A language of the Nguni branch of the Bantu languages spoken in South Africa, esp. in the region traditionally inhabited by the Zulus; the…
      7. Sesotho 1844–
         Of, relating to, or in the Bantu language spoken by the Basotho of central southern Africa. Cf. Basotho, adj., Sotho, adj.
      8. Swahilian 1846–
         Of, belonging to, or relating to the Swahili or their language.
      9. Chagga 1847–
         Of, belonging to, or relating to the Chagga or their language.
      10. Kikuyu 1850–
          Of, relating to, or belonging to the Kikuyu or their language.
      11. Kiswahili 1850–
          Of or relating to Kiswahili.
      12. Bantu 1858–
          Of or relating to a family of Niger-Congo languages spoken in central and southern Africa, including Swahili, Zulu, Kongo, Kikuyu, and Luganda… The word Bantu became a strongly offensive term under the old apartheid regime in South Africa, especially when used to refer to a single individual. In standard current use in South Africa the term black or African is used as a collective or non-specific term for African peoples. The term Bantu has, however, continued to be accepted as a neutral ‘scientific’ term outside South Africa used to refer to the group of languages and their speakers collectively.
      13. Fan 1861–
          Of or pertaining to this people or their language.
      14. Swahilized 1870–
          (Esp. of words) containing elements from Swahili; influenced by or adapted to Swahili culture.
      15. Amandebele 1872–
          = Ndebele, adj.
      16. Nyamwezi 1872–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Bantu language spoken by an African people of western Tanzania.
      17. Wagogo 1878–
          = Gogo, adj.¹
      18. Lunda 1879–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Lunda or their language.
      19. Luganda 1882–
          Of or relating to Luganda.
      20. Sotho 1883–
          Of, relating to, or designating the language of these peoples.
      21. Gogo 1891–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Gogo or their language.
      22. Tonga 1891–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Tonga of Zambia and Zimbabwe or their language.
      23. Chichewa 1897–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Bantu language of the Chewa people. Cf. Chewa, adj.
      24. Ronga 1897–
          Of or relating to the Ronga or their language.
      25. Bemba 1904–
          Of or belonging to the Bantu language of the Bemba (see sense B.2); written or spoken in this language; (also) designating this language.
      26. Ila 1907–
          Of or relating to this people or their language.
      27. Tsonga 1907–
          Of, relating to, or designating this people or their language.
      28. Meru 1908–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Meru, or their language.
      29. Chewa 1909–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Chewa or their language. Cf. Chichewa, adj.
      30. Kinyarwanda 1912–
          Of, belonging to, relating to the Kinyarwanda language.
      31. Venda 1913–
          Of or relating to this people or their language.
      32. Lingala 1922–
          Of or relating to this language.
      33. Luba 1922–
          Of or relating to the Luba or their languages.
      34. Pedi 1922–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Pedi or their language.
      35. Nyanja 1923–
          Of or relating to the Nyanja or their language.
      36. Nguni 1929–
          Of or relating to the Nguni or their languages.
      37. Ndebele 1930–
          Of or relating to the Ndebele or their language.
      38. Tumbuka 1933–
          Of, belonging to, or relating to the Tumbuka or their language.
      39. Lobedu 1937–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Lobedu or their language.
      40. Mongo 1961–
          Of, relating to, or designating the Mongo or their language.
      41. Siswati 1964–
          Of, belonging to, or designating this language; written in or using this language.
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzuːluː/
ZOO-loo

### U.S. English

/ˈzulu/
ZOO-loo

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

(a)

1. 1800s
   Zoola, Zoolaa, Zoolah, Zooler, Zooloo, Zoolu, Zoulah, Zula, Zuloe, Zuloo
2. 1800s–1900s
   Zoulou, Zulo
3. 1800s–
   Zulu

(b) Also with lower-case initial.

## Frequency

Zulu typically occurs about twice per million words in modern written English.

Zulu is in frequency band 5, which contains words occurring between 1 and 10 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of Zulu, n. & adj., 1820–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1820 | 0.012
1830 | 0.032
1840 | 0.22
1850 | 0.54
1860 | 1.2
1870 | 2.5
1880 | 3.3
1890 | 3.3
1900 | 2.5
1910 | 2.0
1920 | 2.0
1930 | 1.9
1940 | 1.9
1950 | 2.2
1960 | 2.4
1970 | 2.6
1980 | 2.4
1990 | 2.3
2000 | 2.2
2010 | 2.2

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. Zuluize, v. 1852–
   transitive. To make (a person or thing) Zulu in…

1. Zuludom, n. 1867–
   The Zulu people, or their lands or culture; the…

1. Zulu hat, n. 1879–
   (Originally) a kind of straw hat with a wide…

1. Zulu, v. 1882–
   intransitive, and transitive with it as object…

1. Zulu time, n. 1959–
   (An informal name for) Greenwich Mean Time, and…

Zulu, n. & adj. was revised in March 2023.

Zulu, n. & adj. was last modified in March 2025.