siddhi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; Religious/Spiritual; Technical (Yoga/Philosophy)
Quick answer
What does “siddhi” mean?
A spiritual power or psychic capability gained through advanced meditation and yoga practice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A spiritual power or psychic capability gained through advanced meditation and yoga practice.
In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, a supernatural ability or perfection (such as clairvoyance, levitation, or omniscience) attained as the fruit of spiritual discipline. By extension, it can refer to an extraordinary skill or talent in a more secular context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or spelling between UK and US English. The term is niche and used identically in both dialects within its specialised context.
Connotations
Carries connotations of Eastern mysticism, advanced spiritual practice, and esoteric knowledge equally in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both UK and US general English but equally common within comparative religion, yoga studies, and related spiritual communities.
Grammar
How to Use “siddhi” in a Sentence
to attain [the siddhi of levitation]to be gifted with [siddhis][a siddhi] such as clairvoyanceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “siddhi” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - The word is a noun.
American English
- N/A - The word is a noun.
adverb
British English
- N/A - The word is a noun.
American English
- N/A - The word is a noun.
adjective
British English
- N/A - The word is a noun.
American English
- N/A - The word is a noun.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, philosophy, and Indology papers to discuss spiritual attainments in yogic texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used in conversations about yoga or Eastern spirituality.
Technical
Core term in yoga philosophy (e.g., Patanjali's Yoga Sutras) and Tantra, denoting specific supernatural powers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “siddhi”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “siddhi”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “siddhi”
- Pronouncing it /ˈsɪd.haɪ/ (like 'sigh').
- Using it to refer to ordinary talents (e.g., 'his siddhi for maths').
- Misspelling as 'siddi', 'siddhee', or 'siddy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised loanword used primarily in contexts of yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, and comparative religion.
Yes, the standard English plural is 'siddhis' (e.g., 'He attained several siddhis').
Commonly cited siddhis include levitation (laghima), clairvoyance (divya-drishti), and telepathy (manah-jaya).
It is typically seen as a neutral byproduct of practice; however, many traditions warn that attachment to these powers can hinder spiritual progress.
A spiritual power or psychic capability gained through advanced meditation and yoga practice.
Siddhi is usually formal; religious/spiritual; technical (yoga/philosophy) in register.
Siddhi: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪd.iː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪd.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a siddhi too far (rare, playful extension)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SIDDHI' sounds like 'SID' (a wise person) + 'HE' (has it). A wise person (Sid) has (he) spiritual powers (siddhi).
Conceptual Metaphor
SPIRITUAL ATTAINMENT IS A TOOL/INSTRUMENT; THE MIND IS A MUSCLE (to be trained for siddhis).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'siddhi' most appropriately used?