Gandhian
adj ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Of or relating to Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, 1869–1948), leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India, who led India to independence and inspired movements for nonviolence, civil rights, and freedom.
"A retired civil servant, Musaddilal Gupta escapes modern India for about an hour a week "as a tribute to him," he says. A few steps from where Gandhi died, Gupta spins his own thread — as the Mahatma taught. ¶ "When this becomes cloth and when I wear it, it's a feeling of joy, to produce something yourself," Gupta says. "His principles are so strong! You may or may not accept it." ¶ "But the day will come when this palace of cards will fall," he says, "and Gandhian principles will remain.""
- 1 of or relating to Mahatma Gandhi or his teachings wordnet
Example
More examples"A retired civil servant, Musaddilal Gupta escapes modern India for about an hour a week "as a tribute to him," he says. A few steps from where Gandhi died, Gupta spins his own thread — as the Mahatma taught. ¶ "When this becomes cloth and when I wear it, it's a feeling of joy, to produce something yourself," Gupta says. "His principles are so strong! You may or may not accept it." ¶ "But the day will come when this palace of cards will fall," he says, "and Gandhian principles will remain.""
Etymology
From Gandhi + -an.
Related phrases
More for "gandhian"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.