Advertisement

Advertisement

Sunni

[ soon-ee ]

noun

, Islam.
  1. Also called Sunnite. a member of one of the two great religious divisions of Islam, regarding the first four caliphs as legitimate successors of Muhammad and stressing the importance of Sunna as a basis for law. Compare Shiʿite.
  2. (used with a plural verb) the Sunni Muslims.


Sunni

/ ˈsʌnɪ /

noun

  1. one of the two main branches of orthodox Islam (the other being the Shiah), consisting of those who acknowledge the authority of the Sunna
  2. -nis-ni another term for Sunnite


Discover More

Other Words From

  • Sunnism noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sunni1

1620–30; < Arabic sunnī, derivative of sunnah Sunna

Discover More

Example Sentences

Within a few years, Iran had jailed or driven from the country more than 60 Sunni clerics.

Riots broke out in 1994, after Iranian authorities replaced a Sunni mosque in Mashad with a development project.

The Baluch in Iran do not speak Farsi but Baluchi, just like the Baluch in Pakistan, and in Iran they are a Sunni minority.

When a popular Sunni televangelist does it, to forgive is divine.

A Shiite stronghold wrapped in a Sunni explosive belt—not exactly a picture of stability.

The troops in his army upon whom he placed most reliance were the Afghans and Tartars, who were of the Sunni persuasion.

The field contains but few adventitious designs and they are rarely animal, as the Afghans are Sunni Mohammedans.

The religion was that of Islam, and the sect the orthodox Sunni; but the practice was less precise than in Arabia.

(e) Shiite Moslems outnumber the Sunni, and make about one twenty-fifth of the whole.

The struggle between Shiah and Sunni was dividing the world of Islam.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Sunnasunnies