Arab

¹

[ ar-uhb ]

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 A·rab·ber [ey, -rab-er]. Sometimes Offensive. a street peddler.
5. Archaic: Sometimes Offensive. street arab.

adjective

1. of or relating to Arabs.
2. Arabian ( def 1 ).
3. Arabic.

Arab.

²

abbreviation for

1. Arabia.
2. Arabian.
3. Arabic.

Arab

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

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 Note

The pronunciation of Arab as [ey, -rab], with an initial [ey] 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 Words From

• anti-Arab adjective noun
• non-Arab noun adjective
• pro-Arab adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arab¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arab¹

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

Example Sentences

At last year’s COP28 meeting in the United Arab Emirates, countries agreed to "transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems".

From BBC

He said that Sudan had wanted a clause condemning the United Arab Emirate's backing of the RSF, something which the UAE has consistently denied.

From BBC

"Working for freedom for Palestinians is inseparable from the work of liberation everywhere, including for our immigrant, Black and brown, Arab, Muslim, Jewish, trans and queer communities here in the U.S."

From Salon

In the southern Nabatieh region, another Israeli air strike on Thursday destroyed the civil defence centre in the town of Arab Salim, killing six people, including five paramedics, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.

From BBC

The United Arab Emirates and Egypt who hosted previous COP climate summits faced similar criticisms for their treatment of civil society groups.

From BBC