Twelver
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of Twelver
1585–95; twelve + -er 1; i.e., follower of the twelve Imams or prophets
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He is considered a “sign of God” in Twelver Shiism, the largest branch of Shiism and the state religion of Iran.
From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2026
Twelver Muslims believe the 12th imam did not die and will return at the end of time to bring justice to Earth.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2025
Still today, taqiyyah is most closely associated with Shia Islam, particularly the dominant Twelver branch.
From Salon ● Jun. 1, 2015
Modern Iran has been Shiite since Ismail I, founder of the Safavid dynasty, established or reinforced the Shiite Twelver School in the early 1500s.
From New York Times ● Aug. 10, 2014
The Houthis follow Zaydism, a branch of Shia Islam separate from the Twelver branch of Iran’s regime.
From Slate
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.
