less common variant of sri

used as a conventional title of respect when addressing or speaking of a distinguished Indian person
variants or less commonly shri
used as a conventional title of respect when addressing or speaking of a distinguished Indian person

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Sanskrit śrī, literally, beauty, majesty; akin to Greek kreiōn ruler, master

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shri was in 1799

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shri.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shri. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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