Sufi

American  

[soo-fee] / ˈsu fi /

noun

Sufis plural

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

Derived Forms

• Sufic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• Sufis
  plural

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

Muslims ruled large parts of India from the early 13th to the 19th century, and during this era Muslim preachers and Sufi mystics actively proselytized for Islam.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

"He fell transiting from one part of the balcony to the living room," Sufi said, declining to elaborate on Mahathir's condition.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

He pauses to recite poetry, be it Sufi or Rilke.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2025

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

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025

But there’s a Sufi story that challenges the notion that people believe only because they need an opiate.

From "Looking for Alaska" by John Green