Sufi

[ soo-fee ]

noun

, plural Su·fis.

1. a member of an ascetic, mystical Muslim sect.

adjective

1. of or relating to Sufis or Sufism.

Sufi

/ ˈsuːfɪ /

noun

1. an adherent of any of various Muslim mystical orders or teachings, which emphasize the direct personal experience of God

Derived Forms

• ˈSufic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sufi¹

First recorded in 1650–55; from Arabic Ṣūfī “(man) of wool,” equivalent to ṣūf “wool” + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin; so called from the ascetic woolen clothing the Sufis wore

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sufi¹

C17: from Arabic sūfīy, literally: (man) of wool, from sūf wool; probably from the ascetic's woollen garments

Example Sentences

His followers helped bury the dead, and at night they performed zikir, a devotional dance that is an expression of Sufi spirituality.

From New York Times

The flautist put down his instrument and sang out a Sufi chant.

From Literature

Some Indian Muslims also visit holy shrines dedicated to Sufi saints, which are decorated with lights and colorful flowers.

From Seattle Times

Along with it, the madrassa - where Fawad and 25 other students, mostly orphans, lived - and an adjacent graveyard and a shrine of a Sufi saint located inside the mosque complex were also razed.

From BBC

It's rumoured Khan turned to the mother-of-five for advice after they met at a 13th Century Sufi shrine.

From BBC