Meaning & use
caliph
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Meaning
nouncountablereligion
The chief ruler of an Islamic state, who held both religious and political authority as successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
Grammar: Often capitalized when used as a title: Caliph Umar.
Patterns
- the caliph of somewhere
- Caliph + name
The caliph moved the capital to Baghdad.
Scholars gathered at the court of the caliph.
After the Prophet's death, Abu Bakr became the first caliph.
Word forms
| plural | caliphs |
|---|
Common combinations
- the first caliph
- Abu Bakr is remembered as the first caliph.
- serve the caliph
- Many scholars served the caliph in Baghdad.
- court of the caliph
- Poets competed at the court of the caliph.
- appoint a caliph
- The council met to appoint a caliph.
- Abbasid caliph
- An Abbasid caliph founded the House of Wisdom.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- caliphate noun
- the rule, office or territory of a caliph
- caliphal adjective
- relating to a caliph
- khalifa noun
- the Arabic word from which caliph comes
Commonly confused: caliph or califa?
caliph vs califa
Do not confuse caliph with California names; the word is of Arabic origin and means a successor.
Practice
The ___ ruled from Baghdad and held both political and religious authority.
Choose one answer.
A caliph was the successor of the Prophet in leading the Muslim community. A consul, duke and regent do not hold that religious role.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “caliph”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.