Congolese

American  

[kong-guh-leez, -lees] / ˌkɒŋ gəˈliz, -ˈlis /

adjective

1. of or relating to the People's Republic of the Congo or the Congo region, its inhabitants, or their languages.

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noun

plural

Congolese

1. an inhabitant or native of the People's Republic of the Congo or of the Congo region.

Congolese British  

/ ˌkɒŋɡəˈliːz /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Republic of the Congo or the Democratic Republic of the Congo or their inhabitants

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of the Republic of the Congo or the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Other Word Forms

• anti-Congolese adjectiveanti-Congolese
• pro-Congolese adjectivepro-Congolese

Etymology

Origin of Congolese

First recorded in 1895–1900; from French congolais, irregular formation; see -ese

Example Sentences

The Congolese authorities also said that the scheme was not a "permanent relocation mechanism or an outsourcing of migration policies".

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

The Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to accept migrants deported from the US who are not themselves Congolese under a deal effective from this month, officials said.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Caers says that KoBold is best positioned to put the Congolese archives online and bring investment to the impoverished country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

A 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat ordered to stand trial over the 1961 killing of Congolese independence icon Patrice Lumumba has appealed the decision, his lawmaker said Friday.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“That there’s going to be no transition at all? No interim period for—I don’t know—a provisional government-in-training? Just wham, the Belgians are gone and the Congolese have to run everything on their own?”

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver