muhammadanism

IPA/mjˈuːhɐmˌadənˌɪzəm/
IPA/mjˈuːhɐmˌædənˌɪzəm/

muhammadanism — noun

1. a dated and often offensive word for the religion of Islam.

1.nounC2
Definition

a dated and often offensive word for the religion of Islam.

Example

In the 1890 report, the writer called Islam Muhammadanism.

used as an outdated name for Islam

Our professor explained that Muhammadanism is an old label for Islam.

that-clause after explained

Common collocations
  • call Islam Muhammadanism
  • references to Muhammadanism
  • discussions of Muhammadanism
Synonyms
  • Islam

    the standard modern and neutral name for the religion

  • Mohammedanism

    older spelling variant of the same dated term

Usage Note

Usually appears when quoting or discussing older Western writing. In neutral modern English, writers normally use Islam instead.

Common Mistakes

She studies Muhammadanism at the university.
She studies Islam at the university.
'Muhammadanism' is dated and often offensive, so use 'Islam' in neutral modern contexts.

Word family

  • Muhammadan
    adjectiveC2

Etymology

ArabicEnglish

The word was formed in English from Muhammadan, an older term based on the name Muhammad, together with the ending '-ism'. It was used in older European writing as a name for Islam, but modern English generally prefers Islam and often treats this older form as offensive.