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 Arabber. Sometimes Offensive.,  a street peddler.

5. Archaic: Sometimes Offensive.,  street arab.

adjective

1. of or relating to Arabs.

2. Arabian.

3. Arabic.

Arab.

²

abbreviation

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 , 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

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

Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch also praised the US president, who she said "deserves credit for brokering this deal, with the support of Arab partners and Turkey".

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The 9 September attack on Doha also created a new sense of urgency among Arab and Muslim majority countries.

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A medieval observer described the Arab world during its golden age: “Everything produced from the earth is there. Carts carry countless goods to markets, where everything is available and cheap.”

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On Tuesday it will air “Red Alert,” a limited drama series about the fate of multiple characters, including an Israeli family with young children, an Arab family and Israeli police officers after the Oct.

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He has planned to visit investors in the United Arab Emirates to raise money to help fund OpenAI’s infrastructure expansion and research, according to people familiar with the plan.

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