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Definition of basenji
basenji
/bəˈsɛn.dʒi/
Plural:basenjis
basenji Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
basenji Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A breed of small, short-haired hunting dog originating in Central Africa, characterized by a tightly curled tail, wrinkled forehead, and a unique inability to bark, instead producing a characteristic yodeling sound.
Example
"Instead of barking at the mail carrier, the basenji let out a high-pitched yodel that echoed through the house."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for basenji• Rhymes for basenji
Word Origin & Etymology
From Lingala 'basɛ́nzi', the plural of 'mɔsɛ́nzi', meaning 'people of the bush' or 'villagers', originally used by locals in the Congo region to refer to these indigenous hunting dogs.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Basenji. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/basenji