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Glite Dictionary
Devanagari

Devanagari

8.9
A writing system for languages like Hindi and Sanskrit
  • noun
  • /ˌdeɪvəˈnɑːɡəri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : devanagari
  • Modern Hindi newspapers are printed in the Devanagari alphabet.

Examples

  • Students learning Sanskrit often start by mastering the Devanagari script.

  • Many classical texts of Hindu philosophy were originally written in Devanagari script.

  • I learned to read Devanagari in school.

  • The Devanagari script is beautiful.

  • Many classical texts of Hindu philosophy were originally written in Devanagari script.

  • Students learning Sanskrit often start by mastering the Devanagari script.

  • Modern Hindi newspapers are printed in the Devanagari alphabet.

Synonyms

Devanagari script
vsDevanagari
  • Specialized
8.1

A writing system that uses symbols for syllables and is used for Hindi and Sanskrit

is wider in scope, used across South Asia beyond Indian languages
Nagari script
vsDevanagari
  • Specialized
9.3

A writing system used for Hindi and Sanskrit that uses symbols for syllables and a horizontal line above the symbols

is used across South Asia for several languages rather than only two

Compounds

Devanagari script
  • Specialized
8.1

A writing system that uses symbols for syllables and is used for Hindi and Sanskrit

Surface Forms

Devanagari singular
Devanagaris plural

Etymology

The word Devanagari comes from the Sanskrit parts deva meaning 'god' and nagari meaning 'of the city', so it was seen as a 'script of the gods' or an important city writing. That's why Devanagari became the standard writing system for sacred Sanskrit and for modern languages like Hindi.