Hindu

/ˈhɪndu/

/ˈhɪndu/

Other forms: Hindus

A Hindu is a person who believes in the religion called Hinduism. Many Hindus live in India.

Use the term Hindu to talk about someone who follows the teachings and practices of Hinduism, or who has a cultural connection to Hinduism. If you're a Hindu, you belong to the third largest religion in the world, and one with many different gods and goddesses. The word Hindu used to refer to anyone from India, from the Persian word for "India," Hind. The ultimate root is the Sanskrit word sindhu, or "river."

Definitions of Hindu

1. adjective

   of or relating to or supporting Hinduism
   “the Hindu faith”

   synonyms: Hindi, Hindoo
2. noun

   a person who adheres to Hinduism
   synonyms: Hindoo

   types:

   swami

   a Hindu religious teacher; used as a title of respect

   chela

   a Hindu disciple of a swami

   Hare Krishna

   worshipper of Krishna and member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

   Shaktist

   worshipper of Shakti

   Shivaist

   worshipper of Shiva

   Vaishnava

   worshipper of Vishnu

   saddhu, sadhu

   (Hinduism) an ascetic holy man

   sannyasi, sannyasin, sanyasi

   a Hindu religious mendicant

   type of:

   religious person

   a person who manifests devotion to a deity
3. noun

   a native or inhabitant of Hindustan or India
   synonyms: Hindoo, Hindustani

   types:

   brahman, brahmin

   a member of the highest of the four Hindu varnas

   Kshatriya

   a member of the royal or warrior Hindu caste

   Rajpoot, Rajput

   a member of the dominant Hindu military caste in northern India

   Shudra, Sudra

   a member of the lowest or worker Hindu caste

   Vaisya

   a member of the mercantile and professional Hindu caste; the third of the four main castes

   smarta

   one of a group of brahmans who uphold nonsectarian orthodoxy according to the Vedanta school of Hinduism

   type of:

   Asian, Asiatic

   a native or inhabitant of Asia