hafiz
noun
a title of respect for a Muslim who knows the Quran by heart.
hafiz
1 American
[hah-fiz]
/ ˈhɑ fɪz /
noun
Hafiz
2
American
[hah-fiz]
/ hɑˈfɪz /
noun
Hafiz
1
British
/ ˈhɑːfɪz /
noun
hafiz
2
British
/ ˈhɑːfɪz /
noun
Etymology
Origin of hafiz
First recorded in 1655–65; from Persian, from Arabic ḥāfiẓ literally, “a guard, one who keeps (in memory),” from ḥāfiẓa “to guard, memorize”
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.
See Examples For:
One fighter was a hafiz, someone who has memorized the entire Quran.
From New York Times ● Sep. 23, 2021
Around the time Mr. Shekau killed himself, the hafiz began secretly listening to recordings of sermons by imams preaching a completely different, and peaceful, interpretation.
From New York Times ● Sep. 23, 2021
In Islam, the hafiz are followers of Muhammed who have memorised the Koran completely.
From Economist ● Nov. 3, 2017
“He’s a hafiz of the Qur’an. Watch your mouth,” she says.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
“Khuda hafiz, Auntie and Uncle. Thank you for having us.”
From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan
However, community activist and lawyer Hafiz Zainulabdin Shah said Bengalis living in Pakistan have lost some of their identity by adopting local languages.
From Barron's ● Feb. 23, 2026
"In a way, I'm documenting the thoughts and emotions of young Kashmiris," Ms Hafiz says.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2025
Sameera Hafiz, policy director of the Immigration Legal Resource Center, called the move “very shocking and very concerning.”
From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2025
The thing I love about kind internal self-talk is that as you start to bring a little kindness into the equation, you then start to become like one of my favorite Persian poets, Hafiz.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 7, 2025
The Troubadours, and the Roman Elegists, De Musset and Verlaine, Hafiz and Keats, are among the very greatest poets, even though they are not prophets.
From The Literature of Ecstasy by Albert Mordell
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