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
Drought-stricken farmers in Spain have reclaimed medieval Moorish irrigation technology.
From Salon ● Feb. 26, 2024
Teams of horsemen dressed as Spanish, Moorish, African and Indigenous warriors engage in mock battles with spears and lances.
From New York Times ● Jan. 16, 2024
In Andalusia, there is an enormous Islamic, Berber and Moorish influence that has shaped Spanish culture, language and architecture.
From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2023
When he told me the woman’s name I realized she was Moorish.
From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus
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
Their is much moorish ground in our way.
From Publications of the Scottish History Society, Volume 36 Journals of Sir John Lauder Lord Fountainhall with His Observations on Public Affairs and Other Memoranda 1665-1676 by Lord John Lauder Fountainhall
They resemble boggy and moorish ground, we must run lightly over them, without ever letting our feet make the least impression.”
From Ebrietatis Encomium or, the Praise of Drunkenness by Robert Samber
We were rowing down that side of the lake which had hitherto been little else than a moorish ridge.
From Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland A.D. 1803 by John Campbell Shairp
The walls and pillars were painted blue and white, in the moorish taste and on the back wall was sketched a fire screen, ornamented with a coarse painting of a flower-pot.
From Lander's Travels The Travels of Richard Lander into the Interior of Africa by Robert Huish
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