Nuer

noun

Nu·​er ˈnü-ər How to pronounce Nuer (audio)
plural Nuer
1
: a member of a Nilotic people of southern Sudan
2
: the language of the Nuer people

Examples of Nuer 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.
The peace deal established a power-sharing agreement between the country’s largest ethnic groups, Mr. Kiir’s Dinka and Mr. Machar’s Nuer, which fought a bloody civil war that erupted roughly two years after South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. — Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 This practice appears around the world: among the Mesopotamians, the Chinese during the Tang dynasty, the Enga of Papua New Guinea, the Nuer of Sudan, the Montenegrins and many others. — Daniel Sznycer, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably ultimately from Nuer naað, a self-designation

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Nuer was in 1861

Browse Nearby Words

Nueces
Nuer
Nuevo Laredo
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nuer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Nuer. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on Nuer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Nuer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
kestrel
Name That Bird Quiz Are you as wise as an owl or just another birdbrain?
See All