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

This changed for the first time in 2003, when Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a conservative Sunni Muslim, became prime minister. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 14 June 2026

Shia with their hands down, Sunni with their hands up on their abdomen. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 9 June 2026

The significance of Ashura in Sunni tradition was supported by hadiths that established the date as corresponding to numerous notable events and births in the Hebrew Bible and Islamic history. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026

Saddam Hussein thought the Sunni Arab people of Iraq should add the petroleum resources of Shia Persian Iran to their own. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026

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