Arab

[ar-uhb]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a member of a Semitic people inhabiting Arabia and other countries of the Middle East.
a member of any Arabic-speaking people.
Arabian horse.
Also called Arabber.��Sometimes Offensive.��a street peddler.
Archaic: Sometimes Offensive.��street arab.

adjective

of or relating to Arabs.
Arabian.
Arabic.

Arab.

abbreviation

Arabia.
Arabian.
Arabic.

Arab

noun

a member of a Semitic people originally inhabiting Arabia, who spread throughout the Middle East, N Africa, and Spain during the seventh and eighth centuries _ad
a lively intelligent breed of horse, mainly used for riding
(modifier) of or relating to the Arabs
the Arab nations

Discover More

Sensitive Note

The meanings “street peddler” and “vagabond” (in this second sense, also called a street arab ) are sometimes perceived as insulting because of their reference to the historically nomadic peoples of Arabia. The meaning “vagabond” has fallen into disuse. However, street vendors in Baltimore, Maryland, are called Arabs; in fact, it is a self-referential term—that is, one used by the vendors themselves.

Discover More

Pronunciation Note

The pronunciation of Arab as , with an initial sound and secondary stress on the second syllable, is sometimes used facetiously or disparagingly. It is especially common in the street-peddler and street-arab senses and is usually considered offensive in any sense.

Discover More

Other Word Forms

anti-Arab adjective
non-Arab noun
pro-Arab adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arab¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin Arab-, stem of Arabs, from Greek Á��-, stem of Á�� “Arabian, an Arabian, Arab,” from Arabic ʿ��, a self-designation

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arab¹

C14: from Latin Arabs, from Greek Araps, from Arabic `Arab

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Most of the fighters are ethnic Zaghawa, who have been in fierce conflict with the Arab groups that form the core of the RSF.

From

Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Gulf Arab states don't much care for Iran's revolutionary Islamic Republic regime but they have learned to live with it as a neighbour.

From

Then, a little more than a hundred days on, during his first foreign tour – which took him to three wealthy Arab states – he boasted that he was making good on that vow.

From

The popular treat combines the flavours of chocolate, pistachio and tahini with filo pastry, and is inspired by the Arab dessert Knafeh.

From

Ricardo Rodríguez, who worked as a security contractor in the United Arab Emirates after leaving the Colombian military, said in an interview that veterans should be able to take their skills elsewhere.

From

araara Arab American

Browse