English · Word Candidate

malik

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: maliks

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A tribal chieftain in certain areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan, especially among the Pashtuns.

Noun

Examples

These outsiders introduced the idea that certain maliks in the nang areas, like the khans in the qalang areas, could receive special privileges in representing the jirga to the outside world. ¶ The notion of paying favored maliks in the FATA for their cooperation did not begin with the British.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A tribal chieftain in modern Assyrian society.

Noun

Examples

The leader of this party was Khoshaba, one of the chiefs, though not the real malik of the Lower Tiyari clan.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

An upper-caste landlord in the southern part of Bihar in eastern India.

Noun

Examples

[…] the essay interprets the oral traditions of the outcaste Bhuinyas who have traditionally worked as the kamias or dependent labourers of maliks or upper-caste landlords in the southern part of Bihar in eastern India. […] But the kamias' ties with the maliks predated the designation of the relatio

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “malik” mean?

A tribal chieftain in certain areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan, especially among the Pashtuns.

Is “malik” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.