shaman
Americannoun
noun
-
a priest of shamanism
-
a medicine man of a similar religion, esp among certain tribes of North American Indians
Other Word Forms
- shamanic adjective
Etymology
Origin of shaman
First recorded in 1690–1700; from German Schamane, from Russian shamán, probably from Evenki šamān, samān or another Tungusic language, perhaps ultimately via an intermediary such as Tocharian B from Sanskrit śramaṇá- “ascetic, monk”
Explanation
A shaman is a tribal healer who can act as a medium between the visible world and the spirit world. Shamans are kind of a mix between priests and doctors. Like a priest, a shaman is a holy man who represents a religion — in this case, shamanism. Like a doctor, a shaman heals people — or at least claims to do so. If you're not into shamanism, you can use this term more generally: A really good teacher, especially one who works a little mysteriously, might be said to work "like a shaman".
Vocabulary lists containing shaman
Born a Crime
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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World Religions
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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.
"May all that is bad dissolve into the river and never return," the shaman chanted.
From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026
The Joker, for example, becomes Yoka, a shaman and right-hand man to emperor Moctezuma who can communicate with the gods.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025
Devin even gives her something he received from a Maori shaman during their first one-on-one date in New Zealand.
From Salon • Sep. 4, 2024
Like Abu, the game's title character Zau, a young shaman, has lost his father.
From BBC • Apr. 22, 2024
The last night of lying on hard ground, and falling asleep to the murmured incantations of the shaman stirring his powders into the fire.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
