Devanagari

[ dey-vuh-nah-guh-ree ]

noun

1. an alphabetic script with some syllabic features derived from Brahmi, used for the writing of Hindi and many other languages of India including Sanskrit.

Devanagari

/ ˌdeɪvəˈnɑːɡərɪ /

noun

1. a syllabic script in which Sanskrit, Hindi, and other modern languages of India are written

Word History and Origins

Origin of Devanagari¹

First recorded in 1775–85; from Sanskrit devanāgarī, equivalent to deva- “god” + nāgarī “pertaining to a city, urbane, refined,” hence “city (writing),” feminine singular adjective derived from nagara- “city”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Devanagari¹

C18: from Sanskrit: alphabet of the gods, from deva god + nagari an Indian alphabet

Example Sentences

He wanted to make a small number of good Urdu poems accessible by presenting each in three different scripts — in the original Urdu; in Devanagari, the script of Hindi; and in English transliteration.

From New York Times

Amazon decided that some words and phrases, like “free,” “jeans” and “cash on delivery,” should be kept in English but written using Hindi’s Devanagari script.

From New York Times

Amazon decided that some words and phrases, like “free,” “jeans” and “cash on delivery” should be kept in English but written using Hindi’s Devanagari script.

From Seattle Times

Twenty-one were taught to read and write the Devanagari script, which is used in Hindi and other Indian languages, over six months.

From Washington Post

Can you imagine if, instead of Hindi's Devanagari script, it were written in Chinese?

From Washington Post