Hindu

or Hin·doo

[ hin-doo ]

noun

1. a person, especially of northern India, who adheres to Hinduism.

adjective

1. of or relating to Hindus or Hinduism.

Hindu

/ hɪnˈduː; ˈhɪnduː /

noun

1. a person who adheres to Hinduism
2. an inhabitant or native of Hindustan or India, esp one adhering to Hinduism

adjective

1. relating to Hinduism, Hindus, or India

Other Words From

• an·ti-Hin·du adjective noun
• non-Hin·du noun adjective
• pro-Hin·du adjective noun
• pseu·do-Hin·du adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hindu¹

1655–65; < Persian Hindū Indian (adj., noun), equivalent to Hind ( Hindi ) + -ū adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hindu¹

C17: from Persian Hindū, from Hind India; see Hindi

Example Sentences

The five-day festival, celebrated by Sikhs and Jains as well as Hindus, symbolises new beginnings, the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

From BBC

This difference is despite seven decades of affirmative action, India's caste system - a four-fold hierarchy of the Hindu religion - remains deeply entrenched.

From BBC

While victims include Hindu families, such demolitions have mostly targeted Muslims, especially after religious violence or protests, opposition leaders and activists say.

From BBC

Simultaneously, she completed “A Night of Knowing Nothing,” a dreamlike document of students protesting the Hindu nationalist rule of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

From Los Angeles Times

In September, there was uproar over a viral video that showed him praying at home with PM Modi during a Hindu religious festival.

From BBC