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

Now the Abraham Accords—the U.S.-brokered normalization pacts between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan—might expand to include the most powerful Sunni Arab state, Saudi Arabia. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

The first factor is that, like the Druze, Alawites have their own distinct beliefs that deviate from Sunni Islam. —Güneş Murat Tezcür, The Conversation, 23 July 2025

Sectarian clashes broke last week between government forces and Druze, Sunni Bedouins and other Sunni factions. —ABC News, 22 July 2025

Clashes began Sunday between Druze militias and local Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes. —Ghaith Alsayed, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Arabic sunnī, from sunna

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Sunni

• looney
• loony
• mooney
• muni
• nguni
• puny

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