From the Sanskrit word tilaka
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Gandhi’s forehead has often been adorned with a red dot, or tilak, a mark of Hindu piety.
From New York Times ● Dec. 3, 2022
Mr. Chaturvedi was making rounds of the area’s factories wearing a red tilak, the smudge of vermilion applied after Hindu prayers, and a Los Angeles Lakers cap.
From New York Times ● Mar. 24, 2017
After receiving the Hindu religious tilak mark on their foreheads, the Carters met villagers.
From Time Magazine Archive
Greet Raja Ram, on my behalf, and after placing the tilak or mark upon his forehead, return here with all speed.
From Vikram and the Vampire; Classic Hindu Tales of Adventure, Magic, and Romance by Burton, Isabel, Lady
The tilak of the Mādhavachāryas is said to consist of two white lines down the forehead and continued on to the nose where they meet, with a black vertical line between them.
From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)
Tilak Varma's 27 off 15 balls was the next highest score by an India batter which underlined the composed manner in which Samson held together India's reply.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2026
Spinner Washington Sundar and batsman Tilak Varma are recovering from injury, but both are expected to be fit.
From Barron's ● Feb. 3, 2026
Batter Tilak Varma and spinner Washington Sundar are both racing against time to be fit for the World Cup despite being named in the squad.
From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 2026
Sudha G Tilak speaks with Surya about his journey.
From BBC ● Apr. 1, 2022
Mr. Tilak in introducing the distinguished lecturer to the audience referred to Professor Bose's lasting services not only to the Indian nation but to the whole world.
From Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose His Life and Speeches by Bose, Jagadis Chandra, Sir
I wore these spots of shine and silver like tilaks, the marks of colour that we Hindus wear on our foreheads as symbols of the divine.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
