swami

or swa·my

[ swah-mee ]

/ ˈswɑ mi /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR swami ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural swa·mies.

an honorific title given to a Hindu religious teacher.

a person resembling a swami, especially in authority, critical judgment, etc.; pundit: The swamis are saying the stock market is due for a drop.

Nearby words

swallow-tanager, swallowing reflex, swallowtail, swallowwort, swam, swami, swammerdam, swammerdam, jan, swamp, swamp andromeda, swamp azalea

Origin of swami

1765–75; < Sanskrit svāmī, nominative singular of svāmin master, owner

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for swami

While for some devotees there was no matter too trivial on which to consult him—“Swami Ji, should I cut my hair?”
The Fugitive Guru|Ben Crair|June 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
She just yelled at me and told me I had to go work things out with Swami Ji.
The Fugitive Guru|Ben Crair|June 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In April, I met in Manhattan with Swami Nikhilanand Ji, a JKP preacher who studied at Barsana Dham.
The Fugitive Guru|Ben Crair|June 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The leaders of this deputation had their backs covered with bruises, made by the bamboo of the Swami!
From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan|Helena Pretrovna Blavatsky

Sure, the whole plant was buzzing about that foreign-looking Swami who had been seen coming in and out of my office.
Sense from Thought Divide|Mark Irvin Clifton
Reaching Benares, I proceeded immediately to the swami's residence.
Autobiography of a YOGI|Paramhansa Yogananda
The day before we had received a letter from Swami Dayanand, carried to us by a traveling Sannyasi.
From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan|Helena Pretrovna Blavatsky
If the Swami were willing, she could provide a large and ready-made audience for him.
Sense from Thought Divide|Mark Irvin Clifton

British Dictionary definitions for swami

swami

/ (ˈswɑːmɪ) /

noun plural -mies or -mis

(in India) a title of respect for a Hindu saint or religious teacher

Word Origin for swami

C18: from Hindi svāmī, from Sanskrit svāmin master, from sva one's own

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

Word Origin and History for swami

swami

1773, " an idol," later, "religious teacher" (1901), from Hindi swami "master" (used as a term of address to a Brahmin), from Sanskrit svami (genitive svaminas) "lord, master," from sva-s "one's own" (cognate with Latin sui; see idiom) + amah "pressure, vehemence."

swami

or swa·my

noun, plural swa·mies.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of swami

Examples from the Web for swami

British Dictionary definitions for swami

swami

noun plural -mies or -mis

Word Origin for swami

Word Origin and History for swami

swami