# malik

/ˈmæɫɪk/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a tribal leader

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a leader or chief of a tribe in countries like Afghanistan or Pakistan.

For teachers: a title for a tribal chieftain or village headman, particularly among Pashtun communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

- The village malik met with the visitors to discuss the new water project.
- The local malik acted as a mediator during the land dispute, drawing on his traditional authority to reach a peaceful settlement.

Usage: Often used as a title before a name or as a common noun for the office holder.

### 2. a landlord

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect · Technical

a person who owns a lot of land in parts of eastern India.

For teachers: a term used in parts of eastern India, such as Bihar, to refer to an upper-caste landlord.

- The malik owned most of the farms in this part of the valley.
- Historical records indicate that the malik held significant social and economic power over the tenant farmers in the region.

## Examples

- The local malik met with the visitors to discuss the new well.
- In many traditional communities, the malik serves as a mediator to resolve disputes between different families.
- The historical records describe the malik as a figure of significant regional authority who maintained a delicate balance of power between the central empire and local clans.

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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.