mullah

American

[muhl-uh, mool-uh, moo-luh] / ˈmʌl ə, ˈmʊl ə, ˈmu lə /

Also mulla,

noun

(in Islamic countries) a title of respect for a person who is learned in, teaches, or expounds the sacred law.
(in Turkey) a provincial judge.

mullah British

/ ˈmʌlə, ˈmʊlə, ˈmɒlə /

noun

(formerly) a Muslim scholar, teacher, or religious leader: also used as a title of respect

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mullah

1605–15; < Persian or Urdu mullā < Arabic mawlā; see maulvi

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Haq's father had longstanding ties with the Afghan Taliban's leadership, including Mullah Omar.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2025

Haqqani was a close associate of Taliban founder Mullah Omar and served as a negotiator on behalf of the Taliban during discussions with US representatives in 2020.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2025

Mullah Hassan Akhund, prime minister in Afghanistan's Taliban-led administration, also expressed reservations.

From Reuters • Nov. 3, 2023

Akhundzada was named the Taliban leader in 2016 after a U.S. airstrike in Pakistan killed his predecessor, Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 20, 2023

That was the news that came over Radio Mullah in late December 2008.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023