Moorish
adjective
of or relating to the Moors, a Muslim people of NW Africa.
Moorish
American
[moor-ish]
/ ˈmʊər ɪʃ /
adjective
-
of or relating to the Moors, a Muslim people of NW Africa.
-
in the style of the Moors, as architecture or decoration.
moorish
British
/ ˈmʊərɪʃ, ˈmɔː- /
adjective
-
of or relating to the Moors
-
denoting the style of architecture used in Spain from the 13th to 16th century, characterized by the horseshoe arch
Etymology
Origin of Moorish
First recorded in 1400–50, Moorish is from the late Middle English word morys. See Moor, -ish 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Moorish horse breeds were crossed with native stock to create a sturdy and agile beast for managing cattle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2026
She was raised by her mother, the singer Lisa Moorish.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2025
The tool reached Europe through the Moorish conquest of much of Spain.
From New York Times ● Mar. 12, 2024
Drought-stricken farmers in Spain have reclaimed medieval Moorish irrigation technology.
From Salon ● Feb. 26, 2024
Finally, the door swung closed 011 the last of the crusaders for Moorish dignity.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
The moorish, sort of gothic feeling that you get when you go there—I think that’s part of it.
From Slate ● May 18, 2016
Having now begun to acquire a knowledge of the moorish tongue, they frequently urged their masters to take them to Suerra, which the latter promised they would do, provided they continued attentive to their duty.
From Lander's Travels The Travels of Richard Lander into the Interior of Africa by Robert Huish
About the same time a moorish wedding was celebrated, the ceremony of which is thus described by Mr. Park.
From Lander's Travels The Travels of Richard Lander into the Interior of Africa by Robert Huish
O deep unlovely brooklet, moaning slow Through moorish fen in utter loneliness!
From The Principles of English Versification by Paull Franklin Baum
In all the moorish borders where writing is known, it forms the basis of Fetisherie, and its productions enclosed in golden or ornamented cases, are hung round the person as guardian influences.
From Lander's Travels The Travels of Richard Lander into the Interior of Africa by Robert Huish
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