shankara: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Academic, Religious/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “shankara” mean?
A proper noun referring to Adi Shankara, a highly influential 8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to Adi Shankara, a highly influential 8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy.
In broader usage, the name can be encountered in institutional names, titles, and art (e.g., Shankara Hospital, Shankaracharya) relating to or honoring the philosopher and his legacy. It is also used as a given name in some Indian communities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both standard varieties.
Connotations
Connotes scholarship in Eastern philosophy, Hindu religious thought, or Indian cultural heritage. Has no established colloquial or slang connotation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both general corpora. Its usage is confined to specialized texts and contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “shankara” in a Sentence
Shankara + [verb of thought/writing] (e.g., 'Shankara argued...')[work/title] + by + Shankara[tradition/school] + of + ShankaraVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shankara” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Shankara's commentary is seminal.
- A Shankara-inspired interpretation.
American English
- The Shankara tradition is pivotal.
- A Shankara-based philosophical approach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in philosophy, religious studies, and South Asian studies departments. Example: 'The seminar will contrast the metaphysics of Shankara with that of Ramanuja.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of specific religious or cultural communities.
Technical
Used as a technical term within Hindu philosophy and Indology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shankara”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shankara”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a shankara').
- Misspelling as 'Shankra' or 'Shankarah'.
- Incorrect stress on the second syllable (should be on the first).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency proper noun specific to contexts involving Indian philosophy and religion.
Only as a proper noun (name) or in a derived adjectival form (e.g., 'Shankara's philosophy'). It has no standard verbal use in English.
Treating it as a common noun with a general meaning, rather than recognizing it as the name of a specific historical figure.
Stress the first syllable: SHAN-ka-ra. The 'a' sounds are typically schwa (/ə/) in the unstressed syllables.
A proper noun referring to Adi Shankara, a highly influential 8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy.
Shankara is usually formal, academic, religious/specialist in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHANkara' – his philosophy was to SHANe (shine) a light on the non-dual nature of reality.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FOUNDATION: Shankara is conceptualized as the foundational pillar or bedrock of Advaita Vedanta.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the name 'Shankara' primarily used in English?