Sunni

[ soon-ee ]

/ ˈsʊn i /

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noun Islam.

Also called Sunnite. a member of one of the two great religious divisions of Islam, regarding the first four caliphs as legitimate successors of Muhammad and stressing the importance of Sunna as a basis for law.Compare Shiʿite.

(used with a plural verb) the Sunni Muslims.

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Origin of Sunni

1620–30; <Arabic sunnī, derivative of sunnahSunna

OTHER WORDS FROM Sunni

Sunnism, noun

Words nearby Sunni

sunlit, sun lounge, sun moss, sunn, Sunna, Sunni, sunnies, Sunnite, sunny, sunny side, sunny-side up

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for Sunni

Within a few years, Iran had jailed or driven from the country more than 60 Sunni clerics.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Riots broke out in 1994, after Iranian authorities replaced a Sunni mosque in Mashad with a development project.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Baluch in Iran do not speak Farsi but Baluchi, just like the Baluch in Pakistan, and in Iran they are a Sunni minority.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When a popular Sunni televangelist does it, to forgive is divine.
Disco Mullah Blasphemy Row Highlights Pakistan’s Hypocrisy|Shaheen Pasha|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A Shiite stronghold wrapped in a Sunni explosive belt—not exactly a picture of stability.
The Nuclear Deal That Iran’s Regime Fears Most|Djavad Khadem|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The troops in his army upon whom he placed most reliance were the Afghans and Tartars, who were of the Sunni persuasion.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, v. 13|Various
The field contains but few adventitious designs and they are rarely animal, as the Afghans are Sunni Mohammedans.
Oriental Rugs|Walter A. Hawley
The religion was that of Islam, and the sect the orthodox Sunni; but the practice was less precise than in Arabia.
Library Of The World's Best Literature, Ancient And Modern, Vol 3|Various
(e) Shiite Moslems outnumber the Sunni, and make about one twenty-fifth of the whole.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 3|Various
The struggle between Shiah and Sunni was dividing the world of Islam.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 9|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Sunni

Sunni

/ (ˈsʌnɪ) /

noun

one of the two main branches of orthodox Islam (the other being the Shiah), consisting of those who acknowledge the authority of the Sunna

plural -nis or -ni another term for Sunnite

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

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Sunni

noun Islam.

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Origin of Sunni

OTHER WORDS FROM Sunni

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Example sentences from the Web for Sunni

British Dictionary definitions for Sunni

noun