mohammedan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowArchaic, Offensive, Historical/Colonial
Quick answer
What does “mohammedan” mean?
An archaic and now widely considered offensive term for a follower of the Islamic faith.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An archaic and now widely considered offensive term for a follower of the Islamic faith; of or relating to the religion of Islam.
As an adjective: pertaining to the religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad, or to its followers. Historically used to describe Islamic laws, customs, or artifacts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or offensiveness. The term is equally outdated and problematic in both varieties. It might be marginally more common in historical British texts due to colonial history.
Connotations
Pejorative, ethnocentric, colonial, ignorant.
Frequency
Extremely rare and actively avoided in contemporary usage. Found almost exclusively in historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mohammedan” in a Sentence
the Mohammedans (noun, plural)Mohammedan art (adjective + noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mohammedan” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The 19th-century text referred to 'Mohammedan' customs in India.
American English
- The museum's old label described the artifact as 'Mohammedan art'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used only in historical analysis or critical discourse about colonial/imperial terminology. Modern Islamic studies universally use 'Muslim'/'Islamic'.
Everyday
Never used; would be considered offensive and ignorant.
Technical
Not used in any modern technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mohammedan”
- Using it as a current, respectful term for Muslims.
- Assuming it is synonymous with 'Islamic'.
- Using it in any modern context without explicit historical framing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not in contemporary, respectful discourse. Its only acceptable use is within direct quotations from historical sources or in academic analysis of historical terminology.
Use 'Muslim' for a person (e.g., 'a Muslim scholar') and 'Islamic' as an adjective (e.g., 'Islamic art', 'Islamic law').
'Moslem' is an older transliteration. While less offensive than 'Mohammedan', 'Muslim' (pronounced with a 'u' as in 'put') is the preferred and more accurate modern spelling and pronunciation, aligning with the Arabic.
Not necessarily. When citing or discussing historical texts, it's often important to preserve the original language to understand historical context, but you should frame it with an explanation of why the term is problematic today.
An archaic and now widely considered offensive term for a follower of the Islamic faith.
Mohammedan is usually archaic, offensive, historical/colonial in register.
Mohammedan: in British English it is pronounced /məʊˈhæmɪd(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /moʊˈhæmɪdən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Avoid 'Mohammedan' – it mistakenly puts the man (Muhammad) at the centre, not the faith (Islam). Remember: Muslim, for the faith of Islam.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (term is a misnomer, not a metaphor).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason the term 'Mohammedan' is considered offensive?