Vietnamese

noun

Viet·​nam·​ese vē-ˌet-nə-ˈmēz How to pronounce Vietnamese (audio)
ˌvyet-, 
ˌvē-ət- How to pronounce Vietnamese (audio)
ˌvēt-, 
-na-, 
-nä-, 
-ˈmēs How to pronounce Vietnamese (audio)
plural Vietnamese
1
: a native or inhabitant of Vietnam
2
: the language of the largest group in Vietnam and the official language of the country
Vietnamese adjective

Examples of Vietnamese 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.
But on Viet style, on Vietnamese, everybody love to eat fresh. — Luke Burbank, CBS News, 28 June 2026 So the first question, which is something; the Vietnamese and the Chinese have come and apparently been their toughest critics. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Cambodian cuisines feature the leaves and rind prominently. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026 Taking over suite 100, the restaurant plans to hold its grand opening July 16, according to a voicemail message that refers to the new business as DK Vietnamese. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for Vietnamese

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Vietnamese was in 1947

Phrases Containing Vietnamese

Rhymes for Vietnamese

See All Rhymes for Vietnamese

Browse Nearby Words

Vietnam
Vietnamese
Vietnamese cinnamon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vietnamese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Vietnamese. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Vietnamese

noun
Viet·​nam·​ese vē-ˌet-nə-ˈmēz How to pronounce Vietnamese (audio) ˌvyet- How to pronounce Vietnamese (audio) ˌvē-ət- How to pronounce Vietnamese (audio)
ˌvēt-, 
-na-, 
-nä, 
-ˈmēs
plural Vietnamese
1
: a person born or living in Vietnam
2
: the official language of Vietnam
Vietnamese adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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