shaman
Americannoun
noun
-
a priest of shamanism
-
a medicine man of a similar religion, esp among certain tribes of North American Indians
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of shaman
First recorded in 1690–1700; from German Schamane, from Russian shamán, probably from Evenki šamān, samān or another Tungusic language, perhaps ultimately via an intermediary such as Tocharian B from Sanskrit śramaṇá- “ascetic, monk”
Explanation
A shaman is a tribal healer who can act as a medium between the visible world and the spirit world. Shamans are kind of a mix between priests and doctors. Like a priest, a shaman is a holy man who represents a religion — in this case, shamanism. Like a doctor, a shaman heals people — or at least claims to do so. If you're not into shamanism, you can use this term more generally: A really good teacher, especially one who works a little mysteriously, might be said to work "like a shaman".
Vocabulary lists containing shaman
Born a Crime
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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World Religions
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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.
Channeling the music like a crazed shaman, Jagger shimmied and sashayed, owning the stage like few lead singers have before or since.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
"May all that is bad dissolve into the river and never return," the shaman chanted.
From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026
Maybe the shaman saw something and was concerned because she approached Brown and asked if she could sing to him.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025
Police in Austria have issued a European arrest warrant for a woman they believe posed as a shaman to defraud victims out of large sums of money.
From BBC • Feb. 10, 2025
"I'm like Billy Jack," their dad said, "a warrior and a shaman."
From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
