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desi

British  
/ ˈdeɪsiː /

adjective

  1. indigenous or local

    a desi buda

  2. authentic

    desi music

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of desi

C21: Hindi, from Sanskrit deśa a country

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The diaspora has much to consider in this desi power broker’s rapid ascent in British politics—helped, in part, by years of turmoil on Downing Street and within the Tories’ ranks.

From Slate • Oct. 24, 2022

“Anyone who is desi knows this woman very well,” she said, using a shorthand term for South Asians.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2022

I would listen to Akshiti’s popular millennial Bollywood playlist while cooking and cry along with desi sad boi hours while I showered.

From The Verge • Aug. 8, 2022

Khan is also South Asia's romantic superhero - his films are the standard that all desi romances attempt to match up to.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2022

“A documentary about desi matchmaking with a desi. That’s not awkward at all.”

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed