brahman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic/Religious/Formal
Quick answer
What does “brahman” mean?
In Hinduism, the ultimate, formless, eternal reality and supreme cosmic power.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In Hinduism, the ultimate, formless, eternal reality and supreme cosmic power; the universal soul or principle from which all existence originates.
1. A member of the highest Hindu caste, traditionally priests and scholars. 2. In some Indian philosophies, the ultimate, impersonal divine reality underlying the universe.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling 'Brahmin' for the caste may be slightly more common in American English contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries connotations of spirituality, philosophy, and Hindu tradition.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to discussions of religion, philosophy, or Indian society.
Grammar
How to Use “brahman” in a Sentence
seek + Brahmanrealize + Brahmanunderstand + BrahmanBrahman + is + (described as)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brahman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form exists]
American English
- [No verb form exists]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form exists]
American English
- [No adverb form exists]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form. 'Brahmanic' or 'Brahminical' relate to the caste.]
American English
- [No standard adjective form. 'Brahmanic' or 'Brahminical' relate to the caste.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, philosophy, and South Asian studies departments.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only in discussions of personal spirituality or Hinduism.
Technical
A precise theological/philosophical term in Hindu thought.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brahman”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brahman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brahman”
- Confusing 'Brahman' with 'Brahma' (the deity).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a brahman') when referring to the philosophical concept.
- Misspelling as 'Brahmin' when referring to the ultimate reality.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While sometimes translated as 'God', Brahman in its primary philosophical sense is an impersonal, all-pervading reality rather than a personal deity with human attributes.
Brahman is the formless ultimate reality. Brahma (note the ending 'a') is one of the three main gods in Hinduism (the Trimurti), specifically responsible for creation.
No, when referring to the philosophical concept, it is a singular, uncountable noun. The plural 'Brahmans' can refer to multiple members of the priestly caste.
It is pronounced /ˈbrɑːmən/, with a long 'ah' sound (like in 'father') and a short, unstressed final syllable.
In Hinduism, the ultimate, formless, eternal reality and supreme cosmic power.
Brahman is usually academic/religious/formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common English idioms use this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BRAHMAN' is the BROAD, universal MAN (essence) of everything.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE UNIVERSE IS A WEB, AND BRAHMAN IS THE THREAD FROM WHICH IT IS WOVEN; THE OCEAN AND THE WAVE (individual souls are waves in the ocean of Brahman).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the word 'Brahman' in English?