Ayatollah

/ˌaɪəˈtəʊlə/

noun

A high-ranking title given to Islamic clerics or scholars in Iran.

The Ayatollah has issued a religious decree about the importance of honesty.

Often appears as...

ayatollah khomeini
supreme ayatollah

noun

An expert in a particular field, used sarcastically to indicate someone who is acting authoritative or overly certain.

He thinks he's the Ayatollah of baseball, pontificating about every game.

Visual representation of "ayatollah" - An expert in a particular field, used sarcastically to indicate someone who is acting authoritative or overly certain.

Often appears as...

ayatollah of science
ayatollah of financial analysis

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Colloquial

noun

A high-ranking title given to Islamic clerics or scholars in Iran.

The Ayatollah has issued a religious decree about the importance of honesty.

Often appears as...

ayatollah khomeini
supreme ayatollah

noun

An expert in a particular field, used sarcastically to indicate someone who is acting authoritative or overly certain.

He thinks he's the Ayatollah of baseball, pontificating about every game.

Often appears as...

ayatollah of science
ayatollah of financial analysis

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 2

Pro Tip 1/3

Religious Respect

Used with respect in Islamic contexts, especially Shia communities.

Followers listened intently as the Ayatollah shared his wisdom.

Pro Tip 2/3

High Authority

Indicates someone with considerable authority within Islamic law and lifestyle.

The Ayatollah's guidance is highly influential in the community.

Pro Tip 3/3

Political Influence

Ayatollahs can wield significant political power in Iran.

The Ayatollah's opinion may sway the nation's policy decisions.

Pro Tip 1/3

Religious Respect

Used with respect in Islamic contexts, especially Shia communities.

Followers listened intently as the Ayatollah shared his wisdom.

Pro Tip 2/3

High Authority

Indicates someone with considerable authority within Islamic law and lifestyle.

The Ayatollah's guidance is highly influential in the community.

Pro Tip 3/3

Political Influence

Ayatollahs can wield significant political power in Iran.

The Ayatollah's opinion may sway the nation's policy decisions.

Pro Tip 1/3

Religious Respect

Used with respect in Islamic contexts, especially Shia communities.

Followers listened intently as the Ayatollah shared his wisdom.

Pro Tip 2/3

High Authority

Indicates someone with considerable authority within Islamic law and lifestyle.

The Ayatollah's guidance is highly influential in the community.

Pro Tip 3/3

Political Influence

Ayatollahs can wield significant political power in Iran.

The Ayatollah's opinion may sway the nation's policy decisions.

Compare with

clericimammullah

Look up Compare with

Visual representation of the word "Ayatollah"

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Video examples

How to make jokes at a...

because they have no sense of humor okay here's another commonality you know people always ask me what is our current president have in common with former Ayatollah Khomeini I get this question all the time and I tell them they both hated the press right hey to the press we're all

Video examples

Trita Parsi: Iran and...

Ayatollah Khomeini is still alive, and much like Ahmadinejad today, he's using the worst rhetoric against Israel. Yet, Rabin referred to Iran as a geostrategic friend. Today, when we hear the threats of war and the high rhetoric, we're oftentimes led to believe

Video examples

Windows of the Soul: My...

sheet from a graveyard in Somalia Time magazine had me there for a little over five months in the Horn of Africa Somalia and the Sudan this is a boy from that graveyard this is just out ayatollah khomeini's home in tehran in