noun
Uncommon
lama
LAH-muh
Lama (noun) means a senior teacher or spiritual master in Tibetan Buddhism. Example: “Monks travel long distances to study under a respected lama.”
noun
1
A senior teacher or spiritual master in Tibetan Buddhism.
"Monks travel long distances to study under a respected lama."
How to use lama
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Tibetan Buddhist teacher or spiritual leader, similar to how "guru" is used in other traditions.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "llama," the South American pack animal — same sound, unrelated word and spelling.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like lama.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- lamas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Monks travel long distances to study under a respected _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Tibetan bla ma, meaning "superior" or "master."
Rhymes for lama
See all rhymes for lama →Frequently asked questions
What does “lama” mean?
The word “lama” means a senior teacher or spiritual master in Tibetan Buddhism. In plain terms, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher or spiritual leader, similar to how "guru" is used in other traditions.
How do you pronounce “lama”?
“Lama” is pronounced LAH-muh (/ˈlɑː.mə/ in IPA).
How do you use “lama” in a sentence?
Here is “lama” used in a sentence: “Monks travel long distances to study under a respected lama.”
What part of speech is “lama”?
“Lama” is a noun.
Is “lama” a common word?
“Lama” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include lama:
