# Gandhi

/ˈɡɑndi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gandhi
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the historical leader

noun · CEFR B1

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the leader who helped India become independent from Britain using non-violent protest.

For teachers: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869–1948), the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement and a global icon of non-violent civil disobedience.

- Many people around the world still study the peaceful methods used by Gandhi.
- Gandhi's philosophy of satyagraha, or non-violent resistance, influenced civil rights movements globally, including those led by Martin Luther King Jr.

### 2. the surname

noun · CEFR B2

a common family name in India used by many different groups of people.

For teachers: A common Indian surname found among various religious and social groups, including Hindus, Jains, and Parsis.

- Indira Gandhi was a famous Prime Minister of India, but she was not related to Mahatma Gandhi.
- The surname Gandhi is widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent and is held by several prominent political dynasties.

### 3. a peaceful person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

someone who lives very simply or refuses to use violence, like the famous leader.

For teachers: A figurative reference to an individual who embodies the ethical principles, simple lifestyle, or non-violent philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.

- He thinks he is a bit of a Gandhi because he never gets angry.
- The activist was often described as a modern-day Gandhi for his unwavering commitment to peaceful protest in the face of state aggression.

## Examples

- He is a peaceful man, almost like a Gandhi.
- The teacher tried to act like Gandhi when the students started shouting, remaining calm and silent until they stopped.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.