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Definition of ayatollah

ayatollah

/ˌaɪ.əˈtoʊ.lə/
ay · a · tol · lah
Plural:ayatollahs
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ayatollah Lexical Profile

ayatollah Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A high-ranking Shiite Muslim religious scholar and cleric, particularly in Iran, who is recognized as an expert in Islamic law, ethics, and theology.

Example

"The senior ayatollah delivered a Friday sermon addressing both theological questions and contemporary social issues."

2

An supreme, dogmatic, or unchallengeable authority figure within a particular field or organization (used figuratively and often humorously or critically).

Example

"He was long regarded as the reigning ayatollah of the publishing house's editorial standards."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for ayatollah

• Nearby Words

axman
axolotl
ay
ayatollah
aye
aye-aye
aymara

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed via Persian from the Arabic phrase 'āyatu llāh', literally meaning 'sign of God', from 'āyah' (sign or miracle) and 'Allāh' (God).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ayatollah. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ayatollah
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