Wahhabi

[ wuh-hah-bee, wah- ]

/ wəˈhɑ bi, wɑ- /

noun, plural Wah·ha·bis. Islam.

a follower of ʿAbd al-Wahhab (1703–1792), who stringently opposed all practices not sanctioned by the Koran. The Wahhabis, founded in the 18th century, are the most conservative Muslim group and are today found mainly in Saudi Arabia.

Also Wa·ha·bi, Wah·ha·bee, Wah·ha·bite, Wa·ha·bite

[wuh-hah-bahyt, wah-] /wəˈhɑ baɪt, wɑ-/.

Origin of Wahhabi

1800–10; < Arabic, equivalent to ʿAbd al-Wahhab + -ī suffix of appurtenance

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

Examples from the Web for wahhabi

“I thought in Europe they would abandon Wahhabi teachings,” she say.
The Secret Life of an ISIS Warlord|Will Cathcart, Vazha Tavberidze, Nino Burchuladze|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not since the Saudi and Wahhabi sack of Najaf and Kerbala in 1806 has sectarian violence in the Middle East been this extreme.
Zarqawism Lives: Iraq’s al Qaeda Nightmare Is Back|Bruce Riedel|August 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The two Wahhabi states do work together albeit with some friction in Syria.
Saudi Arabia Cheers the Coup in Egypt|Bruce Riedel|July 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Hejazis in the west and Shia in the east resent the strict Wahhabi lifestyle in the Nejd central desert.
With Prince Muqrin’s Appointment, Saudi Succession Crisis Looms|Bruce Riedel|February 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST

He was as controlling of his wives as one might expect of a strict Wahhabi Muslim, barring them from leaving home.
Osama bin Laden's Twisted Love Life|David A. Graham|May 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Here it asks, “We would like to know if the speaker be a Wahhabi.”
The Book of Khalid|Ameen Rihani
We remembered p. 20that we were among Wahhabi fanatics, and we began to be very much alarmed.
A Pilgrimage to Nejd, Vol. 2 [of 2]|Anne Blunt
From another part of the Mosque comes the reply: “Ay, he is a Wahhabi.”
The Book of Khalid|Ameen Rihani
It would have been curious to ascertain whether Obeyd wore a plain unjewelled weapon in keeping with Wahhabi austerity.
A Pilgrimage to Nejd, Vol. 1 [of 2]|Anne Blunt
This affair contributed much to the extension and renown of the Wahhabi power; and offers of submission came in from all sides.
A Pilgrimage to Nejd, Vol. 2 [of 2]|Anne Blunt

British Dictionary definitions for wahhabi

Wahhabi

Wahabi

/ (wəˈhɑːbɪ) /

noun plural -bis

a member of a strictly conservative Muslim sect founded in the 18th century with the aim of eliminating all innovations later than the 3rd century of Islam

Derived Forms

Wahhabism or Wahabism, noun

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