Burmese

American  

[ber-meez, ‑-mees] / bərˈmiz, ‑ˈmis /

adjective

1. of or relating to Burma (now Myanmar), its inhabitants, or their language.

2. Burman.

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noun

plural

Burmese

1. a native or inhabitant of Burma (now Myanmar).

2. Burman.

3. the Tibeto-Burman language of the Burman ethnic group: the official language of Burma (now Myanmar).

Burmese British  

/ bɜːˈmiːz /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Burma (Myanmar), its people, or their language

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Burma (Myanmar)

2. the official language of Burma (Myanmar), belonging to the Sino-Tibetan family

Usage

Burmese is used as a plural noun (a candidate favored by the Burmese ), but it's relatively rare as a singular noun (the candidate who is a Burmese ).

Etymology

Origin of Burmese

First recorded in 1815–25; Burm(a) + -ese

Example Sentences

The British, Swedish and Burmese delegates explained why: Nuclear fuel-making was too close to bomb-making ever to be “peaceful.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Burmese TPS holders are waiting anxiously to see how these rulings could impact TPS altogether.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026

Mr. Dalrymple cites the example of U Ottama, also called Mahatma Ottama— “a short Buddhist monk with large ears and a scar on his forehead”—who yearned for Burmese union with India.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Drive an hour-and-half south in Thailand, and you reach a quiet border crossing called Wa Le – Wawlay in Burmese.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025

As if on cue, the Burmese python slithered over to the chariot and wrapped itself around the right wheel.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan