noun
kami
Kami (noun) means a spirit or deity in the Shinto religion of Japan, believed to inhabit natural objects, places, or ancestors. Example: “Shrines throughout Japan are dedicated to local kami.”
noun
1
A spirit or deity in the Shinto religion of Japan, believed to inhabit natural objects, places, or ancestors.
"But Ryōtora had definitely moved a shintai during the makeshift festival – and it must have been Saiun-nushi’s, because Sekken couldn’t imagine the shugenja could call a kami into a foreign vessel without noticing."
— Marie Brennan pseudonym; Bryn Neuenschwander (2021)
"Shrines throughout Japan are dedicated to local kami."
"Chanting the mantra of the fire kami, they called to the blaze, summoning the heart of each flickering flame to life."
— Ree Soesbee, Armies on the March (2000)
2
Decorative paper, usually colored or patterned on one side, used for origami.
"She folded a crane from a square of red kami."
How to use kami
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Shinto spirit or god, or a sheet of origami paper.
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Word forms
- Plural
- kamis
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Shrines throughout Japan are dedicated to local _____.
Etymology
From Japanese "kami," meaning "god" or "spirit."
Rhymes for kami
See all rhymes for kami →Frequently asked questions
What does “kami” mean?
The word “kami” means a spirit or deity in the Shinto religion of Japan, believed to inhabit natural objects, places, or ancestors. In plain terms, a Shinto spirit or god, or a sheet of origami paper.
How do you use “kami” in a sentence?
Here is “kami” used in a sentence: “Shrines throughout Japan are dedicated to local kami.”
What part of speech is “kami”?
“Kami” is a noun.
Where does the word “kami” come from?
The word “kami” comes from Japanese. From Japanese "kami," meaning "god" or "spirit.".
How many meanings does “kami” have?
“Kami” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spirit or deity in the Shinto religion of Japan, believed to inhabit natural objects, places, or ancestors.
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