noun
Common
Arab
A-ruhb
Arab (noun) means a member of an ethnic group native to the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Arabic-speaking world. Example: “Many Arab countries share Arabic as a common language.”
noun
1
A member of an ethnic group native to the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Arabic-speaking world.
"Many Arab countries share Arabic as a common language."
2
A breed of horse originally from the Arabian Peninsula, known for speed and endurance.
"The stable specialises in breeding Arabs."
adj
1
Relating to Arabs or the Arab world.
"The summit brought together leaders from several Arab nations."
How to use Arab
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to people, culture, or language connected to the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Arab world, or (capitalised or not) a horse breed from that region.
Common pairings
Arab world
Arab nations
Arabian horse
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Word forms
- Plural
- Arabs
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Many _____ countries share Arabic as a common language.
Etymology
From Arabic 'arab, the name Arabs use for themselves.
Synonyms
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Arabian
Arabic-speaking person
Related words
Rhymes for Arab
See all rhymes for Arab →Frequently asked questions
What does “Arab” mean?
The word “Arab” means a member of an ethnic group native to the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Arabic-speaking world. In plain terms, refers to people, culture, or language connected to the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Arab world, or (capitalised or not) a horse breed from that region.
How do you pronounce “Arab”?
“Arab” is pronounced A-ruhb (/ˈæɹəb/ in IPA).
How do you use “Arab” in a sentence?
Here is “Arab” used in a sentence: “Many Arab countries share Arabic as a common language.”
What part of speech is “Arab”?
Depending on how it is used, “Arab” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “Arab” come from?
The word “Arab” comes from Arabic. From Arabic 'arab, the name Arabs use for themselves.
Is “Arab” a common word?
“Arab” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Arab” have?
“Arab” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of an ethnic group native to the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Arabic-speaking world.
What is the difference between Arab, Arabic, and Arabian?
Arab refers to people and their ethnic or cultural identity. Arabic refers to the language and, more broadly, the writing, literature, and numerals. Arabian describes the geographic region, especially the Arabian Peninsula, as in Arabian desert. So an Arab person may speak Arabic and live on the Arabian Peninsula.
Are all Arabs Muslim?
No. Arab is an ethnic and cultural identity, not a religious one. While most Arabs are Muslim, there are also long-established Christian Arab communities and smaller groups of other faiths. Likewise, most Muslims worldwide are not Arab, since the largest Muslim populations live in South and Southeast Asia.
Which countries are considered Arab?
Arab identity spans much of the Middle East and North Africa, including countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, and the Gulf states. These nations share the Arabic language and cultural ties, and many belong to the Arab League, an organisation of Arabic-speaking states.
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