Arabic

1 of 2

noun

Ar·​a·​bic ˈa-rə-bik 

ˈer-ə-

: a Semitic language originally of the Arabs of the Hejaz and Nejd that is now the prevailing speech of a wide region of southwestern Asia and northern Africa

Arabic

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or constituting the language Arabic

… Arabic neologisms of the nineteenth century …

—Bernard Lewis

His bibliography contains no classical Arabic texts and only a handful of dubiously transliterated recent Arabic titles …

—Pierre Cachia

… edited and reviewed by Arabic scholars in Paris …

—Edwin McDowell

2

: expressed in or utilizing Arabic numerals

21 is an Arabic number.

Arabic notation

3

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Arabia or the Arabs

As Arabic music permeates various other sounds, so are western sounds finding their way into various Arabic musics.

—Hank Bordowitz

The Middle East meets the Wild West in this variation on Arabic hummus.

—Steven Raichlen

There still exist some folk instruments in Portugal whose names indicate their Arabic origin.

—Alexander Buchner

Examples of Arabic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That’s set up Talabat (which means orders in Arabic) to be the unlikely steward of what is set to be this year’s largest tech initial public offering. —Iain Martin, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Shooting is set for Spring 2025 and will be filmed in Hebrew, Arabic and English. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The Arabic numerals are cleanly delineated, while the chapter ring is delicately drawn, with slightly thicker five-minute markers. —Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

An Arabic language infographic on treating refeeding syndrome, a serious condition resulting from chronic starvation, was widely on social media in the wake of the prisons' opening. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Arabic

• Arabic alphabet
• Arabic numeral
• Hindu-Arabic

Kids Definition

Arabic

1 of 2 adjective

Ar·​a·​bic ˈar-ə-bik 

1

: arabian, arab

2

: expressed in or making use of Arabic numerals

Arabic

2 of 2 noun

: a Semitic language that is the chief language of a wide region of southwestern Asia and northern Africa

Medical Definition

arabic

see gum arabic