Sunni

noun

Sun·​ni ˈsu̇(n)-(ˌ)nē 

1

: the Muslims of the branch of Islam that adheres to the orthodox tradition and acknowledges the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad compare shia

2

: a Sunni Muslim

Sunni adjective

Examples of Sunni in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The president must be a Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

However, for Destiny, Sunni's now frenemy and her partner's ex, the news is awkward and complicated. —Esther Kang, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, its relationships with the Sunni Arab dictatorships have been improving. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

Some Lebanese Christians and Sunni Muslims who wanted foreign troops out of their country had little choice but to rally around Hezbollah. —Ibrahim Al-Marashi / Made By History, TIME, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Arabic sunnī, from sunna

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Sunni

noun

Sun·​ni ˈsu̇n-(n)ē 

plural Sunnis or Sunni

1

: one of the two main branches of Islam

2

: a Muslim who is a member of the Sunni branch of Islam