Arab

¹ American  

[ar-uhb] / ˈær əb /

noun

1. a member of a Semitic people inhabiting Arabia and other countries of the Middle East.

2. a member of any Arabic-speaking people.

3. Arabian horse.

4. Also called Arabber.  Sometimes Offensive. a street peddler.

5. Archaic: Sometimes Offensive. street arab.

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adjective

1. of or relating to Arabs.

2. Arabian.

3. Arabic.

Arab. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Arabia.

2. Arabian.

3. Arabic.

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Arab British  

noun

1. 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

2. a lively intelligent breed of horse, mainly used for riding

3. (modifier) of or relating to the Arabs

   the Arab nations

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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.

Pronunciation

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of Arab

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

Example Sentences

“There’s people who don’t understand, but that’s not the majority of Americans. Don’t be shy to be an Arab or to be a Muslim in this country.“

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

“Maybe they don’t know enough about the Arab culture or the Muslim culture.”

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—The disruption of shipping from the Persian Gulf is inflicting increasing pain on America’s Arab allies, on Iran and on the world economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Hermes said the Middle Eastern sales drop was notably in the United Arab Emirates, as well as in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

The half-American with the Arab eyes in the navy blue Armenian school uniform.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye