mufti: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal (for the religious meaning); Informal/Specialized (for the clothing meaning).
Quick answer
What does “mufti” mean?
A Muslim legal expert who is qualified to give rulings on religious law.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Muslim legal expert who is qualified to give rulings on religious law.
Ordinary civilian clothes worn by a person who normally wears a military uniform or other official attire; (metonymically) a state of being in civilian dress.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The clothing sense ('civilian dress') is far more common and established in British English than in American English. The religious sense is the primary meaning globally.
Connotations
In British English, 'in mufti' has a slightly old-fashioned or institutional (military/school) feel. In American English, the word is almost exclusively associated with the Islamic religious title.
Frequency
Much more frequent in British English for the clothing sense. Rare in American English outside of discussions of Islamic law.
Grammar
How to Use “mufti” in a Sentence
be in + muftithe Mufti of + [Place]issue a fatwa (as a mufti)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mufti” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- It's a mufti day at the office, so jeans are allowed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could appear in HR contexts for 'dress-down Friday' type policies, primarily in the UK.
Academic
Common in Religious Studies, Islamic History, and Middle Eastern Studies for the religious title.
Everyday
Uncommon. In the UK, might be used in contexts like schools or military families ('mufti day').
Technical
Core term in Islamic Law (Fiqh).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mufti”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈmjuːfti/ (like 'mute'). Correct is /ˈmʌfti/ (like 'muff').
- Using the clothing sense in American contexts where it is likely unknown.
- Capitalising 'mufti' when referring to clothing ('in Mufti' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originated in 19th-century British India, where European officers likened their comfortable, non-uniform clothing to the civilian dress worn by a mufti (the Islamic scholar), as opposed to military or court attire.
Yes, for the religious meaning. A mufti is an official scholar of Islamic law. Countries may have a Grand or Chief Mufti as a senior religious authority.
No, it is not standardly used as a verb. You would say 'to dress in mufti' or 'to wear mufti'.
Yes, particularly in schools and sometimes workplaces, it refers to a day when normal uniform/dress code is relaxed and people wear their own clothes, often for charity.
A Muslim legal expert who is qualified to give rulings on religious law.
Mufti: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌfti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌfti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A day in mufti.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MUFTI (scholar) taking off his formal robes to put on comfy MUFTI (clothes) for the weekend.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS DRESS (The authority of the religious scholar metaphorically transfers to the idea of being permitted to wear non-official clothing).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'mufti' commonly used to mean 'civilian clothes'?