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

And before Slash can finish his next thought, he starts gushing about a recent trip to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he visited Ferrari World, home to a number of celebrated roller coasters.

From Los Angeles Times

His partners in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, would carry development costs.

From Los Angeles Times

The United Arab Emirates has warned Israel that annexing the occupied West Bank would cross a "red line" and undermine the spirit of the Abraham Accords that normalised relations between the two countries.

From BBC

Pro Tip: Combine a visit to Masri Sweets with a trip to the Arab American National Museum, which is within walking distance of the bakery.

From Salon

Ian Parmeter, a research scholar at Australia National University's Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies who spent decades working across Australian government departments, says he's never seen the two countries' relations in a worse state.

From BBC