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Nandi

1 American  
[nahn-dee] / ˈnɑn di /

noun

  • Nandis,
    plural
  • Nandi
    plural
  1. a member of an agricultural people of southwestern Kenya.

  2. the Nilotic language spoken by the Nandi.


Nandi 2 American  
[nahn-dee] / ˈnɑn di /

noun

Hinduism.
  1. the bull companion of Shiva.


Nandi 3 American  
[nahn-dee] / ˈnɑn di /

noun

  1. former spelling of Nadi.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of Nandi1

First recorded in 1885–90; a self-designation of the Nandi people

Origin of Nandi2

First recorded in 1805–10; from Sanskrit nandi “happiness; personification of happiness”


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:

Club founder Nandi Owolo, 30, watched the revelry from a secluded lounge chair, sitting for the first time all day, and marveled at what her little club had become.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2025

Having performed alongside global stars including the Foo Fighters and Lenny Kravitz, Nandi said: "I am just a normal kid. I practice a lot. I have been really lucky."

From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2025

Nellenbach and Nandi are former postdoctoral researchers in the joint biomedical engineering program at NC State and UNC; Mihalko is a former Ph.D. student in the program.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 11, 2024

Rono grew up in Kiptaragon, a village among the farms in Kenya’s Nandi Hills.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 16, 2024

His father switches off the music and calls Dilip and Maya Nandi, who now live in a suburb twenty minutes away and have a little boy of their own.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Her most recent video sees multiple Nandis put on an energetic, one-girl show in response to Grohl’s sweet Round 2 entry: a superhero theme song dedicated to “the No. 1 supergirl,” Nandi.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2020

For as grateful as she feels for the company of the Nandis and Dr. Gupta, these acquaintances are only substitutes for the people who really ought to be surrounding them.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Through the Nandis, now expecting a child of their own, Ashoke and Ashima meet the Mitras, and through the Mitras, the Banerjees.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Then he calls the next-door neighbor, Mrs. Merton, who has offered to look after Gogol until the Nandis arrive.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Having taken the seat of honour in open view of the community, Joygopal swelled inwardly, and thought it would be a good thing if any of the Chakrabartis or Nandis came and saw him there.

From Mashi and Other Stories by Rabindranath Tagore

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