hindus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal. Commonly used in academic, journalistic, and general descriptive contexts. Less common in casual conversation where 'Hindu people' might be used for clarity.
Quick answer
What does “hindus” mean?
Adherents of Hinduism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Adherents of Hinduism; people who follow the religion of Hinduism.
Refers broadly to people who culturally, religiously, or ethnically identify with the traditions, beliefs, and practices originating in the Indian subcontinent, specifically the religion of Hinduism. Can also be used in demographic, sociological, or historical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. British English may show slightly higher frequency due to historical and demographic ties to South Asia.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. In the UK, the term may more readily evoke discussions of multiculturalism and diaspora communities.
Frequency
Comparatively low frequency in general corpora, but standard in relevant contexts. No marked variation between UK and US usage patterns.
Grammar
How to Use “hindus” in a Sentence
Hindus + [verb of belief/practice]: 'Hindus believe in karma.'[Adjective] + Hindus: 'devout Hindus'[Prepositional phrase]: 'Hindus in the diaspora'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hindus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'Hindus' is not a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'Hindus' is not a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No adverbial form derived from 'Hindus'.
American English
- N/A - No adverbial form derived from 'Hindus'.
adjective
British English
- N/A - The adjective form is 'Hindu', not 'Hindus'. Example: 'Hindu philosophy'.
American English
- N/A - The adjective form is 'Hindu', not 'Hindus'. Example: 'Hindu deities'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in market segmentation or diversity reports (e.g., 'catering to Hindu consumers').
Academic
Common in religious studies, sociology, anthropology, and history (e.g., 'The migration patterns of Hindus in the 19th century...').
Everyday
Used in general discussions about religion, culture, or world events (e.g., 'Many Hindus go to the temple on Fridays.').
Technical
Used in demographic data, censuses, and interfaith dialogue documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hindus”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hindus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hindus”
- Using 'Hindus' as an adjective (e.g., 'a Hindus temple' – incorrect; should be 'a Hindu temple').
- Incorrect pluralization ('Hinduses' does not exist).
- Uncapitalized use ('hindus') is considered incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily a religious term for followers of Hinduism. However, in common usage, it can intertwine with cultural and ethnic identity, especially in diaspora contexts where 'Hindu' may signal both religion and heritage.
Yes. As it refers to a specific religious group, it is a proper noun and should be capitalized, similar to 'Christians' or 'Buddhists'.
The singular form is 'a Hindu' (e.g., 'She is a Hindu').
No. The adjective form is 'Hindu'. The correct phrase is 'Hindu temple'. 'Hindus' is only used as a plural noun referring to people.
Adherents of Hinduism.
Hindus is usually neutral to formal. commonly used in academic, journalistic, and general descriptive contexts. less common in casual conversation where 'hindu people' might be used for clarity. in register.
Hindus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪnduːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪnduːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specific to the plural noun 'Hindus'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Hindus' has 'us' at the end – it refers to 'us' the people who follow Hinduism.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualized as a COLLECTIVE (a community, a population) or a BODY OF BELIEVERS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct usage?