# shaman

/ˈʃeɪmən/ (US) · /ʃˈæmən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shaman
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a person in some cultures who is believed to have special powers to heal people and talk to spirits. They often use rituals or music to help their community.

For teachers: a religious or spiritual practitioner who acts as an intermediary between the human and spirit worlds. Typically associated with indigenous cultures, the role involves performing rituals for healing, divination, or community protection.

## Examples

- The village shaman performed a healing ceremony.
- Anthropologists spent months studying how the shaman used rhythmic drumming to enter a trance state during communal rituals.
- While modern medicine has reached the remote valley, many residents still consult the local shaman for spiritual guidance and traditional herbal remedies during times of crisis.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The village shamen" but "The village shamans" — The word is not an English compound of 'man'; the plural is formed by adding 's'.

## Usage notes

- The plural form is 'shamans', not 'shamen'.

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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.