adj
Uncommon
Sunni
SUU-nee
Sunni (adj) means belonging to the largest branch of Islam, which follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the recorded practices of the Prophet Muhammad). Example: “Most Muslims in Egypt and Saudi Arabia are Sunni.”
adj
1
Belonging to the largest branch of Islam, which follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the recorded practices of the Prophet Muhammad).
"Many Shias who had become more Sunni in their religious practices reverted back to their original sect."
— Eamon Murphy, The Making of Terrorism in Pakistan: Historical and social roots (2012)
"Most Muslims in Egypt and Saudi Arabia are Sunni."
noun
1
A follower of Sunni Islam.
"He grew up as a Sunni in a mixed neighbourhood."
How to use Sunni
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe larger of Islam's two main branches, alongside Shia Islam.
Common mistake
Always capitalised, as it names a specific religious group.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- Sunnis
- Comparative
- more Sunni
- Superlative
- most Sunni
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Most Muslims in Egypt and Saudi Arabia are _____.
Etymology
From Arabic sunniyy, from sunna ("tradition, custom") — those who follow the Sunnah, the traditions attributed to the Prophet.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Sunni” mean?
The word “Sunni” means belonging to the largest branch of Islam, which follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the recorded practices of the Prophet Muhammad). In plain terms, the larger of Islam's two main branches, alongside Shia Islam.
How do you pronounce “Sunni”?
“Sunni” is pronounced SUU-nee (/ˈsʊni/ in IPA).
How do you use “Sunni” in a sentence?
Here is “Sunni” used in a sentence: “Most Muslims in Egypt and Saudi Arabia are Sunni.”
What part of speech is “Sunni”?
Depending on how it is used, “Sunni” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Sunni” come from?
The word “Sunni” comes from Arabic. From Arabic sunniyy, from sunna ("tradition, custom") — those who follow the Sunnah, the traditions attributed to the Prophet.
Is “Sunni” a common word?
“Sunni” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Sunni” have?
“Sunni” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to the largest branch of Islam, which follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the recorded practices of the Prophet Muhammad).
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