Sufi

[ soo-fee ]

/ ˈsu fi /

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noun, plural Su·fis.

a member of an ascetic, mystical Muslim sect.

adjective

of or relating to Sufis or Sufism.

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Origin of Sufi

First recorded in 1650–55; from Arabic Ṣūfī “(man) of wool,” equivalent to ṣūf “wool” + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin; so called from the ascetic woolen clothing the Sufis wore

Words nearby Sufi

suffragist, suffrutescent, suffruticose, suffumigate, suffuse, Sufi, Sufism, Sufu, sug-, súgán, sugar

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Sufi in a sentence

Traditional Sufi imams might once have dissuaded these young men from seeking out the Syrian battlefield.
ISIS Is Putin’s Problem, Too, and This Chechen Is One Reason Why.|Anna Nemtsova|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The other night, quite by chance, I came across some lines in Rumi, the 13th-century poet—a Sufi mystic from Persia.
Only Iraq Can Save Itself From Chaos|Jay Parini|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 2004 I was in Swat, I was researching on the causes of failure of the first revolution attempt by Sufi Muhammad.
The Taliban’s Letter to Malala Yousafzai|The Daily Beast|July 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The blasts at Sufi shrines are put down to Salafists focused on what they see as symbols of Muslim apostasy.
Tripoli on Edge as Fears of Additional Bombings in Libya Escalate|Jamie Dettmer|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In Herat I paid my respects to the grave of Dost Mohammad Khan at the Sufi shrine of Gaza Gagh.
‘A War for No Wise Purpose’: Afghanistan Defeats the West Again|William Dalrymple|April 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The chief properties of prophetism are perceptible only during the transport by those who embrace the Sufi life.
The Vagabond in Literature|Arthur Rickett
The Sufi gives up the riddle of existence to seek the final union with God, which is the aim of his life.
Palestine|Claude Reignier Conder
He made the pilgrimage to Mecca, and on his return became a disciple of the Sufi Junaid.
Mystics and Saints of Islam|Claud Field
One day the thought crossed Bayazid's mind that he was the greatest Sufi of the age.
Mystics and Saints of Islam|Claud Field
This was older and simpler and more effective than the techniques of Sufi and Hashishiyya.
The Saracen: The Holy War|Robert Shea

British Dictionary definitions for Sufi

Sufi

/ (ˈsuːfɪ) /

noun plural -fis

an adherent of any of various Muslim mystical orders or teachings, which emphasize the direct personal experience of God

Derived forms of Sufi

Sufic, adjective

Word Origin for Sufi

C17: from Arabic sūfīy, literally: (man) of wool, from sūf wool; probably from the ascetic's woollen garments

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