mullah

American

[muhl-uh, mool-uh, moo-luh] / ˈmʌl ə, ˈmʊl ə, ˈmu lə /

Also mulla,

noun

(in Islamic countries) a title of respect for a person who is learned in, teaches, or expounds the sacred law.
(in Turkey) a provincial judge.

mullah British

/ ˈmʌlə, ˈmʊlə, ˈmɒlə /

noun

(formerly) a Muslim scholar, teacher, or religious leader: also used as a title of respect

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mullah

1605–15; < Persian or Urdu mullā < Arabic mawlā; maulvi

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.

A second deputy was found in Yaqoob Mujahid, Taliban founder Mullah Omar's son – young, but bringing with him his Taliban bloodline, and its potential to unify the movement.

From BBC

In short, the Kabul group's most powerful ministers came together and convinced Kabul-based Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund to order it switched back on.

From BBC

Sodais said he was confronted by his local mullah, or Muslim clergy leader, in 2015 for working with Western armed forces.

From Los Angeles Times

Currently, Sirajuddin Haqqani is emerging as a power centre in Afghanistan's Taliban government, as rifts between him and the Taliban's supreme leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada grow.

From BBC

Haq's father had longstanding ties with the Afghan Taliban's leadership, including Mullah Omar.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023