Mahdi

American  

[mah-dee] / ˈmɑ di /

noun

Mahdis plural

1. the Muslim messiah, an expected spiritual and temporal ruler destined to establish a reign of righteousness throughout the world.

2. any of various claimants to this role, especially Muhammad Ahmed, who established an independent government in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan that lasted until 1898.

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Mahdi British  

/ ˈmɑːdɪ /

noun

1. the title assumed by Mohammed Ahmed. ?1843–85, Sudanese military leader, who led a revolt against Egypt (1881) and captured Khartoum (1885)

2. Islam any of a number of Muslim messiahs expected to convert all mankind to Islam

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Mahdism
  noun
• Mahdist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• Mahdis
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Mahdi

First recorded in 1790–1800, Mahdi is from the Arabic word mahdīy he who is guided

Example Sentences

"If the semiconductor industry wants to succeed with 2D materials, the active layer and the insulating layer must be designed together from the very beginning," emphasizes Mahdi Pourfath.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

Mahdi told me: "When people talk, they share information gradually, they leave things out and they get distracted."

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Believers say he will emerge in the historical region of Khorasan to lead forces in support of the Mahdi and against the enemies of Islam.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Others like Mahdi Mohaddes, a 41-year-old engineer, echoed her sentiment.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Afterward, every single person would insist that the Mahdi had maintained personal eye contact the entire time.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides