DictionaryAI

Arabic

AR-uh-bik/ˈæɹ.ə.bɪk/

Noun pluralArabics

9 meanings of Arabic

Practice

  1. 1
    language (whole)proper noun
    A Semitic language that began in the Arabian Peninsula and is now spoken across the Middle East and North Africa.

    Arabic is spoken by millions of people across North Africa.

    She is learning Arabic so she can read old poetry.

    Note
  2. 2
    adjective
    Having to do with the Arabic language, such as its words or grammar.

    The book includes a list of Arabic words and their meanings.

    Our teacher explained an Arabic grammar rule today.

    Note
  3. 3
    adjective
    Coming from or belonging to Arab countries and their way of life.

    The museum has a fine collection of Arabic art.

    They served us traditional Arabic dishes at the wedding.

    SimilarArab, Arabian

  4. 4
    proper noun
    The flowing, right-to-left writing system used for Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and several other languages.

    Persian and Urdu are written in Arabic, not in the Latin alphabet.

    The calligrapher rendered the verse in elegant Arabic.

    Note
  5. 5
    the digitsadjective
    Describing the number signs 0 through 9 used in most of the world today.

    Most clocks show the time in Arabic numerals like 1, 2, and 3.

    The pages are numbered with Arabic figures instead of Roman ones.

    Note
  6. 6
    local varietynouncountable
    A local spoken form of the Arabic language, such as the kind used in Egypt or Morocco.

    Thanks to films and songs, Egyptian Arabic is understood across the Arab world.

    At home my family speaks Lebanese Arabic, not the formal kind.

    Similardialect

    Note
  7. 7
    of the peopleadjectivenonstandard
    Relating to Arab people, their background, and their communities.

    Her family has deep Arabic roots going back many generations.

    The poem celebrates Arabic pride and tradition.

    SimilarArab

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 8
    the digitsnounabbreviationellipsis
    Ellipsis of Arabic numeral: the everyday number signs 0, 1, 2 and so on, not Roman ones.

    Number the questions in Arabic, not Roman.

    The book numbers its first pages in Roman and the rest in Arabic.

    Note
  2. 9
    personnounnonstandardcountable
    A person who belongs to the Arab people and shares their culture.
    That's the majority of working N'Yawkers. Blacks and Hispanics outnumber the arabics.
    2000, Topprolmc, “OT - I participated in an obscene act today!”

    SimilarArab

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of Arabic apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin arabicus, which came from a Greek word meaning "Arab." That word itself came from the Arabic word for "Arab."

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 4 facts