# Muslim

/ˈməzɫəm/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a follower of Islam

noun · CEFR A2

a person who follows the religion of Islam.

For teachers: an adherent of the monotheistic religion of Islam.

- Many Muslims visit the city of Mecca at least once in their lives.
- The local community centre provides a space where Muslims can gather for prayer and social events throughout the year.

Usage: Always written with a capital letter.

### 2. relating to Islam

adjective · CEFR A2

relating to the religion of Islam or the people who follow it.

For teachers: pertaining to the faith, practice, or culture of Islam.

- The city is famous for its beautiful Muslim architecture and history.
- The scholar published a detailed study on Muslim contributions to medieval mathematics and astronomy.

Usage: Always written with a capital letter.

Teaching tip: While 'Muslim' and 'Islamic' are often used interchangeably as adjectives, 'Muslim' usually refers to people or their personal culture, while 'Islamic' often refers to the religion, laws, or art style.

## Examples

- My neighbor is a devout Muslim.
- The local mosque hosts a weekly gathering for the Muslim community.
- As a Muslim scholar, he dedicated his life to studying the historical roots of Islamic philosophy.

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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.