Sufi

American  

[soo-fee] / ˈsu fi /

noun

plural

Sufis

1. a member of an ascetic, mystical Muslim sect.

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adjective

1. of or relating to Sufis or Sufism.

Sufi British  

/ ˈsuːfɪ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• Sufic adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

It's a place "for meditation, for reclaiming our culture and our multiple identities" said Sahad, who has been following a Sufi spiritual path for 20 years.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

The whirling Sufi dervishes have known for ages that dance is spiritual.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025

Minority groups like the Sufi Muslims say they are also witnessing increasing attacks on their places of worship.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025

His followers helped bury the dead, and at night they performed zikir, a devotional dance that is an expression of Sufi spirituality.

From New York Times • Jun. 5, 2024

This poor Sufi dressed in rags walked into a jewelry store owned by a rich merchant and asked him, “Do you know how you’re going to die?”

From "Looking for Alaska" by John Green