Meaning & use
Sunni
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A Muslim who follows the largest branch of Islam, which accepts the first four caliphs as rightful leaders.
Grammar: Countable: one Sunni, two Sunnis. Often used before another noun: Sunni Muslim.
Patterns
- a Sunni Muslim
- Sunni and Shia
About 85 percent of the world's Muslims are Sunnis.
She comes from a Sunni family in Cairo.
Sunnis and Shias pray in separate mosques in some cities.
adjectivebefore a noun
Relating to the largest branch of Islam or its members.
Grammar: Used before a noun: Sunni community, Sunni tradition. Not usually after a verb.
Patterns
- Sunni Islam
- a Sunni mosque
He studies Sunni law at the university.
The country has a Sunni majority.
Sunni and Shia leaders met to discuss peace.
Word forms
| plural | Sunnis |
|---|
Common combinations
- Sunni Muslim
- A Sunni Muslim leads the community center.
- Sunni majority
- The region has a Sunni majority.
- Sunni Islam
- Sunni Islam is practiced in many countries.
- Sunni and Shia
- The conflict between Sunni and Shia groups has a long history.
Synonyms and how they differ
Opposites
Commonly confused: Sunni or Shia?
Sunni vs Shia
Shia is the other main branch of Islam; Shias believe Ali and his descendants should have led the community. Sunni and Shia are not interchangeable.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'Sunni' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Sunni refers to the largest branch of Islam, so 'Sunni Muslim' is correct. The other options wrongly link Sunni to Buddhism or Christianity, or confuse it with a holy book.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Sunni”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.