Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Sikhism” come from?

Sikhism is an English formation from Sikh, derived from Sanskrit शिष्य meaning "disciple," through Ancient Greek -μός and -ισμός, which formed abstract nouns from root words.

Ancestry of “Sikhism”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishSikhAn adherent of Sikhism; of, or relating to the...
2HindiसिखSikh, a follower of Sikhism
3Punjabiਸਿੱਖa Sikh; disciple of Guru Nanak; the Sikh...
4Prakrit𑀲𑀺𑀓𑁆𑀔𑀸—
5Sanskritशिक्षाlearning, study; knowledge, art, skill
6Proto-Indo-Iranianćikš-to learn
Every word from Proto-Indo-Iranian ćikš- →