Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
khalif

khalif

1 9.9
A religious and political leader of a Muslim state
  • noun
  • /kəˈlif/
  • UK
translation icon : califa
  • The khalif is responsible for guiding the Muslim community in accordance with Islamic law.

Examples

  • The possible return of right tackle Khalif Barnes may bring a much-needed boost to an offensive line that has struggled this season.

    Blog text (20)

  • - Khalif, you finished?

    Chapter & Verse (2017)

  • On Khalif Barnes returning: "Great, he's a leader."

    Blog text (14)

  • He is the guarantor, and he charges his khalifs with the instruction of his teachings.

    Academic text (2008)

  • On having Khalif Barnes back: "He's done well in practice, but I agree with you, for any player to be out that many weeks, you're going to have a little bit of rust."

    Blog text (23)

  • "Right offensive tackle Khalif Barnes said Reece's performance is even more impressive, given he was forced to shoulder the load with McFadden and Goodson on the sideline.

    Blog text (24)

  • During the ceremony, the new khalif emphasized the importance of unity among the believers.

  • As the khalif, he was seen as the spiritual leader and representative of Allah on earth.

Synonyms

calif
vskhalif
  • Archaic
27 9.9

A leader of a Muslim country who is both its political and religious head

is the same but the key presents a different preferred spelling
caliph
vskhalif
6 9.9

A chief religious and political leader of a Muslim community seen as the Prophet's successor

is the same but is given as an alternative name in the key
kaliph
vskhalif
9.9

A religious and political leader who many Muslims see as Muhammad's successor

is the same but uses a different transliteration in the key
kalif
vskhalif
  • UK
9.9

A religious and political leader of a Muslim country who comes after the Prophet Muhammad

is the same but the key shows a slightly different written form
khalifah
vskhalif
9.9

A Muslim leader who leads both the state and the religion

is the same but appears as a shorter alternative form in the key

Surface Forms

khalif singular
khalifs plural
caliphs plural
caliph singular

Etymology

Khalif (also spelled caliph) comes from the Arabic khālifah, which means 'successor' or 'one who comes after.' That's why a khalif was the leader who followed the Prophet and acted as a 'representative of Allah' in both religious and civil life, so the word today means that kind of leader.