name
Uncommon
kali
KA-lee
Kali (name) means a major Hindu goddess associated with time, destruction, and the defeat of evil, often depicted with dark skin and a fierce expression. Example: “The temple held a festival honoring Kali during the autumn.”
name
1
A major Hindu goddess associated with time, destruction, and the defeat of evil, often depicted with dark skin and a fierce expression.
"The temple held a festival honoring Kali during the autumn."
noun
1
Alkali — a chemical substance such as potash or soda ash.
"Early soap makers extracted kali from wood ash."
How to use kali
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often refers to the Hindu goddess Kali; less commonly, an old chemistry term for alkali.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like kali.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The temple held a festival honoring _____ during the autumn.
Etymology
The chemical sense comes from Arabic qily via "alkali"; the goddess's name is Sanskrit, related to "kala" meaning time or death.
Synonyms
View more →
saltwort
glasswort
kelpwort
barilla
Rhymes for kali
See all rhymes for kali →Frequently asked questions
What does “kali” mean?
The word “kali” means a major Hindu goddess associated with time, destruction, and the defeat of evil, often depicted with dark skin and a fierce expression. In plain terms, most often refers to the Hindu goddess Kali; less commonly, an old chemistry term for alkali.
How do you pronounce “kali”?
“Kali” is pronounced KA-lee (/ˈkæli/ in IPA).
How do you use “kali” in a sentence?
Here is “kali” used in a sentence: “The temple held a festival honoring Kali during the autumn.”
What part of speech is “kali”?
Depending on how it is used, “kali” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “kali” come from?
The word “kali” comes from Arabic. The chemical sense comes from Arabic qily via "alkali"; the goddess's name is Sanskrit, related to "kala" meaning time or death.
Is “kali” a common word?
“Kali” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kali” have?
“Kali” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a major Hindu goddess associated with time, destruction, and the defeat of evil, often depicted with dark skin and a fierce expression.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include kali:
