Shi'i

/ˈʃiːi/

adjective

Synonym of Shiite.

“Coordinate term: Sunni”

Similar

Meanings

adjectiveShi'i (comparative more Shi'i, superlative most Shi'i)

comparative more Shi'i · superlative most Shi'i · alternative Shīʻī · alternative Shii

  1. Synonym of Shiite.

    Coordinate term: Sunni

    3 more examples

    After him, they acknowledge as Imam, rejecting the term Caliph, a series of eleven of his descendants; the last of whom disappeared mysteriously, but is held by them to be still living, destined to reappear and to reconquer the whole earth; until when, the Shi’i doctors-of-law are looked upon as the temporary guardians of the faith.

    1877, J. W. Redhouse, A Vindication of the Ottoman Sultan’s Title of “Caliph;” Shewing its Antiquity, Validity, and Universal Acceptance, London, page 9

    It is a mistake into which many writers, following Shi’i legends, have fallen, to compassionate ’Ali as the lawful Khalif deprived of his rights by usurpers.

    1880, The Edinburgh Review, volume 151, page 74

    The practice of keeping the Feast of the Pond (the 18th of the Pilgrim Month), in commemoration of the Prophet’s appointment of Ali as his successor, goes back to a fairly early period; in the main, however, the Shi’i commemorations are of a mournful character, as they have for their subject the “murders” (katl of the Prophet’s descendants, and according to this sect his lawful successors.

    1928, D. S. Margoliouth, Mohammedanism, page 125

    Synonyms: Shiite

nounShi'i (plural Shi'is)

plural Shi'is · alternative Shīʻī · alternative Shii

  1. Synonym of Shiite.

    Coordinate term: Sunni

    Synonyms: Shiite

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveSynonym of Shiite.

Similar

nounSynonym of Shiite.

Similar
Also see

Origin

  1. Arabicشِيعِيّ
  2. EnglishShi'i

Borrowed from Arabic شِيعِيّ (šīʕiyy), from الشِّيعَة (aš-šīʕa, “the Shi'a”) + ـِيّ (-iyy). By surface analysis, Shi'a + -i.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Spanish shií, chií
  • shiíShiite
  • chiíShiite
  • shiíShiite
  • chiíShiite
Cite this entry
APA

Shi'i. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shi'i

MLA

“Shi'i.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shi'i. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Shi'i,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Shi'i.

Source: Shi'i on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.