noun
effendi
eh-FEHN-dee
Effendi (noun) means a title of respect for an educated or distinguished man, historically used in Turkey and other parts of the former Ottoman Empire. Example: “The villagers addressed the visiting scholar as "effendi.”
noun
1
A title of respect for an educated or distinguished man, historically used in Turkey and other parts of the former Ottoman Empire.
"The villagers addressed the visiting scholar as "effendi.""
How to use effendi
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite, old-fashioned title meaning roughly "sir" or "master," used across the historical Ottoman world.
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Word forms
- Plural
- effendis
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The villagers addressed the visiting scholar as "_____."
Etymology
Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish efendi, itself from Greek authéntēs, "lord" or "master" — making it a distant relative of the English word "authentic."
Frequently asked questions
What does “effendi” mean?
The word “effendi” means a title of respect for an educated or distinguished man, historically used in Turkey and other parts of the former Ottoman Empire. In plain terms, a polite, old-fashioned title meaning roughly "sir" or "master," used across the historical Ottoman world.
How do you pronounce “effendi”?
“Effendi” is pronounced eh-FEHN-dee (/ɛˈfɛndi/ in IPA).
How do you use “effendi” in a sentence?
Here is “effendi” used in a sentence: “The villagers addressed the visiting scholar as "effendi.".”
What part of speech is “effendi”?
“Effendi” is a noun.
Where does the word “effendi” come from?
The word “effendi” comes from Greek. Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish efendi, itself from Greek authéntēs, "lord" or "master" — making it a distant relative of the English word "authentic.".
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