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.

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Hindustani

When he returned full time to classical Hindustani music, working with various soloists, he eventually hooked up with Shankar, with whom he then worked almost exclusively.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2025

That meant studying Hindustani music, the basis for classical music in much of South Asia, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 23, 2023

Narayanaswamy’s recorded score picked up on the Iberian theme, translating the Hindustani form tarana to classical guitar.

From New York Times ● May 16, 2022

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

I think it's a Hindustani word that means home, but I won't be sure about that.

From The A.E.F. With General Pershing and the American Forces by Heywood Broun

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