noun
Uncommon
ibn
Ibn (noun) means an Arabic word meaning "son of," used before a father's name in traditional naming patterns. Example: “The scholar Ibn Khaldun took his name from his father.”
noun
1
An Arabic word meaning "son of," used before a father's name in traditional naming patterns.
"The scholar Ibn Khaldun took his name from his father."
"Historical Arabic names often chain several "ibn" links to trace ancestry."
"In the old manuscript, the author's name was written with ibn followed by his father's name."
How to use ibn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMeans "son of" in Arabic naming conventions, similar to how "-son" works in surnames like Johnson.
Common pairings
ibn Khaldun
ibn Sina
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The scholar _____ Khaldun took his name from his father.
Etymology
From Arabic ibn, "son."
Frequently asked questions
What does “ibn” mean?
The word “ibn” means an Arabic word meaning "son of," used before a father's name in traditional naming patterns. In plain terms, means "son of" in Arabic naming conventions, similar to how "-son" works in surnames like Johnson.
How do you use “ibn” in a sentence?
Here is “ibn” used in a sentence: “The scholar Ibn Khaldun took his name from his father.”
What part of speech is “ibn”?
“Ibn” is a noun.
Where does the word “ibn” come from?
The word “ibn” comes from Arabic. From Arabic ibn, "son.".
Is “ibn” a common word?
“Ibn” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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