noun
Uncommon
Malik
muh-LEEK
Malik (noun) means a tribal chief or headman, especially among Pashtun communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Example: “The village malik settled the dispute between the two families.”
noun
1
A tribal chief or headman, especially among Pashtun communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"The village malik settled the dispute between the two families."
name
1
A common male given name and surname of Arabic origin, meaning "king" or "master."
"Malik greeted his guests at the door."
How to use Malik
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a name it means roughly "king"; as a title it refers to a local chief or headman in parts of South Asia.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Maliks
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The village _____ settled the dispute between the two families.
Etymology
From Arabic مَالِك (mālik, "owner, master") and مَلِك (malik, "king").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Malik” mean?
The word “Malik” means a tribal chief or headman, especially among Pashtun communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In plain terms, as a name it means roughly "king"; as a title it refers to a local chief or headman in parts of South Asia.
How do you pronounce “Malik”?
“Malik” is pronounced muh-LEEK (/məˈlik/ in IPA).
How do you use “Malik” in a sentence?
Here is “Malik” used in a sentence: “The village malik settled the dispute between the two families.”
What part of speech is “Malik”?
Depending on how it is used, “Malik” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “Malik” come from?
The word “Malik” comes from Arabic. From Arabic مَالِك (mālik, "owner, master") and مَلِك (malik, "king").
Is “Malik” a common word?
“Malik” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Malik” have?
“Malik” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tribal chief or headman, especially among Pashtun communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
What is a Malik in Pashtun communities?
In Pashtun communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a Malik is a tribal chief or headman who holds a position of local leadership and authority. The title reflects the same underlying meaning of 'king' or 'master' found in the personal name.
Is Malik used the same way as 'Sheikh' or 'Khan'?
Malik, Sheikh, and Khan are all titles of respect or leadership used in different regions and traditions, but they are not interchangeable, as each carries its own specific cultural and historical associations. Malik specifically denotes a tribal chief or headman in Pashtun contexts, distinct from the religious or scholarly connotations often carried by 'Sheikh.'
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