nawab

[ nuh-wob, -wawb ]

noun

1. Also a viceroy or deputy governor under the former Mogul empire in India.
2. an honorary title conferred upon Muslims of distinction in India and Pakistan.
3. nabob ( def 2 ).

nawab

/ nəˈwɑːb /

noun

1. (formerly) a Muslim ruling prince or powerful landowner in India Also callednabob

Word History and Origins

Origin of nawab¹

1750–60; < Urdu nawwāb < Arabic nuwwāb, plural of nā'ib deputy, viceroy

Word History and Origins

Origin of nawab¹

C18: from Hindi nawwāb, from Arabic nuwwāb, plural of na'ib viceroy, governor

Example Sentences

The conflict is tinged with racism, with many Arabs referring to the Massalit by a derogatory word, "nawab", which refers to slaves.

From BBC

Mr Khan the nawab, who has switched party allegiance several times over the years, accuses the rival clan of exploiting public office to enrich itself by grabbing land from the rural poor.

From Economist

The dish, it's said, originated with the nawabs of Lucknow, "who'd lost their teeth but not their desire to eat meat," he wrote.

From New York Times

In 1685, a dispute having taken place between the English factors and the nawab, the town was bombarded and burned to the ground.

From Project Gutenberg

On the outbreak of the Mutiny in May 1857, the nawab of Farukhnagar, the principal feudatory of the district, rose in rebellion.

From Project Gutenberg