Hindustani

1 of 2

noun

Hin·​du·​stani ˌhin-dü-ˈsta-nē 

-ˈstä-nē

: a group of Indo-Aryan dialects of northern India of which literary Hindi and Urdu are considered diverse written forms

Hindustani

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to Hindustan or its people or Hindustani

Examples of Hindustani in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Brooks and Kale have booked passage for a creatively volatile musical cohort that includes sarangi master Sabir Khan, the scion of a Hindustani musical dynasty from Rajasthan dating back to the early 1800s. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

Nearly all the tracks are rigorously plotted within the modal grammar of Hindustani classical music. — Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 1 June 2026

From patiently listening to her daughter practice, balancing honest critique with encouragement, to opening up the world of Hindustani Classical Music for her, Devika’s mother instilled not just a love for song, but a commitment to excellence. — Mandeep Rai, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Held in Pune during the month of December every year, the three-day Sawai Gandharva Music Festival is a Hindustani classical sangeet mahotsav. — Condé Nast Traveller, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Mar. 2025

The songwriting spans classical Hindustani and Western music, with lyrics from Aftab as well as an 18th century poem and a jazz standard. — Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024

Written after the death of her brother, Vulture Prince offers space for solace by bridging Hindustani classical, jazz, pop songwriting, and ghazal, a form of poetry originating in Arabic that explores themes of love and loss. — Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Hindi & Urdu Hindūstānī, from Persian Hindūstān India

First Known Use

Noun

1787, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1786, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Hindustani

• castellani
• afghani
• fulani
• romani
• azerbaijani
• bonnie
• bonny
• brawny
• connie
• johnnie
• johnny
• mani

Kids Definition

Hindustani

noun

Hin·​du·​stani

ˌhin-du̇-ˈstan-ē, 

-ˈstän-ē

: a group of Indic dialects of northern India