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

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 notes

In 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

llama →

Word forms

lamas plural, lamas plural, Lamas plural

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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

ama mama kama tama gama Yama Bama Hama Sama llama drama Osama

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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.

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