scarab
[ skar-uhb ]
/ ˈskær əb /
Save This Word!
noun
any scarabaeid beetle, especially Scarabaeus sacer, regarded as sacred by the ancient Egyptians.
a representation or image of a beetle, much used among the ancient Egyptians as a symbol, seal, amulet, or the like.
a gem cut to resemble a beetle.
QUIZ
ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?
We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Also scarabaeus (for defs. 2, 3).
Origin of scarab
First recorded in 1570–80; short for scarabaeus
Words nearby scarab
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use scarab in a sentence
![From “5G” to “Zaddy”: Dictionary.com Adds Over 300 New Words And Definitions]()
From “5G” to “Zaddy”: Dictionary.com Adds Over 300 New Words And Definitions
![6 Islamic Emoji That Are The Stars Of The Islamic New Year]()
6 Islamic Emoji That Are The Stars Of The Islamic New Year
![“Misinformation” vs. “Disinformation”: Get Informed On The Difference]()
“Misinformation” vs. “Disinformation”: Get Informed On The Difference
![“Vaccinate” vs. “Inoculate” vs. “Immunize”: What Are The Differences?]()
“Vaccinate” vs. “Inoculate” vs. “Immunize”: What Are The Differences?
![10 Types Of Pronouns And How To Use Them]()
10 Types Of Pronouns And How To Use Them
![What’s The Difference Between Atheism And Agnosticism?]()
What’s The Difference Between Atheism And Agnosticism?
British Dictionary definitions for scarab
scarab
/ (ˈskærəb) /
noun
any scarabaeid beetle, esp Scarabaeus sacer (sacred scarab), regarded by the ancient Egyptians as divine
the scarab as represented on amulets, etc, of ancient Egypt, or in hieroglyphics as a symbol of the solar deity
Word Origin for scarab
C16: from Latin scarabaeus; probably related to Greek karabos horned beetle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012










