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noun

dirham

dih-RAM
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Dirham (noun) means the official money of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, and the name of coins and notes in several other Arab countries. Example: “She changed her pounds into dirhams at the airport in Dubai.”

noun
1
The official money of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, and the name of coins and notes in several other Arab countries.
"She changed her pounds into dirhams at the airport in Dubai."
"The taxi fare came to forty dirhams."
"Prices in the market were quoted in dirhams."

How to use dirham

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe money used in places such as the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

When to use it

It is a neutral, everyday word used when talking about money and travel.

Memory tip

The usual plural is dirhams, as in fifty dirhams.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
Moroccan dirham pay in dirhams change money into dirhams a hundred dirhams
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She changed her pounds into _____ at the airport in Dubai.

Etymology

The word comes from Arabic, where it was written دِرْهَم. The Arabic word goes back ultimately to the Ancient Greek word drakhmḗ, which also gave English drachma and dram.

Origin: Arabic

Frequently asked questions

What is a dirham?
A dirham is a type of money used in Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and some other Arab countries.
Which countries use the dirham?
Morocco and the United Arab Emirates both use a currency called the dirham.
Where does the word dirham come from?
It comes from Arabic, which took the word ultimately from Ancient Greek drakhmḗ. It is related to the English words drachma and dram.
What is the meaning of dirham?
"dirham" (noun) means the official money of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, and the name of coins and notes in several other Arab countries.