Mongol

American  

[mong-guhl, -gohl, mon-] / ˈmɒŋ gəl, -goʊl, ˈmɒn- /

noun

1. a member of a pastoral people now living chiefly in Mongolia.

2. Anthropology. (no longer in technical use) a person having Mongoloid characteristics.

3. any Mongolian language.

4. (often lowercase) (no longer in technical use; now considered offensive) a person affected with Down syndrome.

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adjective

1. Mongolian.

Mongol ¹ British  

/ ˈmɒŋɡɒl, -ɡəl /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Mongolia, esp a nomad

2. the Mongolian language

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mongol ² British  

/ ˈmɒŋɡəl /

noun

1. a formerly used and now highly offensive name for a person affected by Down's syndrome

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Other Word Forms

• non-Mongol noun

Etymology

Origin of Mongol

First recorded in 1610–20; from French mongal, ultimately from Mongolian Mongol, possibly from mong “brave”

Example Sentences

Erdenes Mongol has a 34% stake in Oyu Tolgoi, while Rio Tinto owns the rest and manages the operation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

The chart extends from the islands of the North Atlantic Ocean to the Mongol empire’s Golden Horde in what is now Eastern Europe.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2023

He sat alongside President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, who wore a traditional robe, wide-brimmed Mongol hat and boots.

From Reuters • Sep. 2, 2023

Francis arrives in the Mongol capital Ulaanbaatar on Friday morning after an overnight flight passing through Chinese airspace, which will give him a rare opportunity to send a note of greetings to President Xi Jinping.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2023

“Doesn’t matter—but, wow, a Mongol gunner? Like the ones they use against cavalry? Against Rostam, my steed? Wait. Doesn’t matter. Also, by the way, we’ve been asked to leave.”

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri