ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gandhi

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈɡɑndi// gand·hi

n. a famous leader from India who used peaceful ways to help his country become free. People often use his name to talk about someone who is very calm and non-violent.

n. the surname of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement known for pioneering the philosophy of non-violent resistance. Often used metonymically to refer to a person embodying extreme patience or pacifism.


SIMPLE

He is a peaceful man, almost like a Gandhi.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher tried to act like Gandhi when the students started shouting, remaining calm and silent until they stopped.

COMPLEX

While the historical Gandhi remains a complex political figure, his name has entered the global lexicon as a shorthand for moral integrity and the power of passive resistance against systemic oppression.

Usage

When used as a common noun to describe a person, it is countable and usually preceded by an article.

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