Kumbaya

English

Alternative forms

• kum ba yah
• kumbayah

Etymology

From Gullah. Apparently a corruption of the English phrase "come by here" in a spiritual song.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /ˌkum.baɪˈjɑ/, /ˌkum.bɑˈjɑ/

Noun

Kumbaya

1. The title of the etymological folk song, used with varying degrees of sincerity or sarcasm to refer to the song's evocations of spiritual unity and interpersonal harmony.