Congolese

adjective

Con·​go·​lese ˌkäŋ-gə-ˈlēz How to pronounce Congolese (audio)
-ˈlēs
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Democratic Republic of the Congo or its people
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Republic of the Congo or its people
Congolese noun
plural Congolese

Examples of Congolese in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Houston Public Media reports, holding their own against Portugal in their last match felt like a win to the Congolese diaspora. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 June 2026 The few, but rowdy, Congolese supporters in the stands at NRG Stadium screamed louder than the sum of their parts, barely believing their side had equalised against the mighty Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 June 2026 In the epicenter of Ituri province, Congolese security forces fired warning shots to break up an angry crowd of people trying to take the body of an Ebola victim home. — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 16 June 2026 Three days after the outbreak was declared, the US halted visa services in Kinshasa and restricted entry for non-US citizens recently in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, making travel harder for Congolese supporters. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 12 June 2026 Mining has been the lifeblood of this remote Congolese hill town for decades. — Lydia Depillis Sydney Ember Arlette Bashizi Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 5 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of Congolese was in 1960

Rhymes for Congolese

See All Rhymes for Congolese

Browse Nearby Words

Congo jute
Congolese
Congo mahoe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congolese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Congolese. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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