Malayan /məˈleɪən/noun 2adjective 1forms 3 noun2 •A person of whatever ethnicity from the former Malaya or Peninsular MalaysiaThe third class is intended to provide cheap travel for the poorest Malayans; wooden seats are the rule, the compensation lying in the fare of four cents a mile (about 1d). — 1950 •Either of two lycaenid butterflies of the genus Megisba of Asia and Australasia. adjective1 •of, or relating to the former Malaya; Malay formsMalayans · more Malayan · most Malayan