Hindustani

American  

[hin-doo-stah-nee, -stan-ee] / ˌhɪn dʊˈstɑ ni, -ˈstæn i /

Also Hindostani or Hindoostani

noun

1. a standard language and lingua franca of northern India based on a dialect of Western Hindi spoken around Delhi. Compare Hindi, Urdu.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to Hindustan, its people, or their languages.

Hindustani British  

/ ˌhɪndəʊˈstɑːnɪ, ˌhɪndʊˈstɑːnɪ /

noun

1. the dialect of Hindi spoken in Delhi: used as a lingua franca throughout India

2. a group of languages or dialects consisting of all spoken forms of Hindi and Urdu considered together

---

adjective

1. of or relating to these languages or Hindustan

Etymology

Origin of Hindustani

First recorded in 1780–90; Hindustan ( def. ) + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin

Example Sentences

While rooted in the Hindustani classical tradition, Hussain possessed an insatiable curiosity that propelled him to explore other genres, leading to ground-breaking collaborations across the world.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2024

With rhythmic support from a tabla, Oak’s Hindustani song glides in and around the California chorale as it flows and surges in English and Latin.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2023

They spoke Judeo-Arabic and Hindustani before they spoke English.

From New York Times • Mar. 2, 2023

In addition to having "exceptional posture" and a "beautiful smile," Edwina is well-versed in French, Latin, Greek and, of course, her native Marathi and Hindustani.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2022

Hindustani, Hindoostanee, hin-dōō-stan′ē, n. a dialect of Hindi, also called Urdū, the chief official and commercial language of India.—Also adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various