mullah

noun

mul·​lah ˈmə-lə  ˈmu̇- 

: a Muslim and especially a religious scholar or cleric who has studied Islamic law and doctrine

—often used as an honorific title

mullahism

ˈmə-lə-ˌi-zəm 

ˈmu̇-

noun

Examples of mullah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As far as an overthrow of the mullahs goes, well, that hasn’t worked out. — Daniel Depetris, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2026

Ahmad’s grandson Shah Shuja discovered the Koi-i-Noor years later, being used by a clueless mullah as a paperweight. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

In Iran, no one except the remnants of the mullahs and the Shah has wanted or wants war. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026

Look at Spain during Franco or Iran under the mullahs. — Brent Lang, Variety, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Turkish molla & Persian & Urdu mulla, from Arabic mawlā

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mullah

• gullah
• nulla
• nullah
• medulla