: a Semitic language originally of the Arabs of the Hejaz and Nejd that is now the prevailing speech of a wide region of southwestern Asia and northern Africa
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the language Arabic
… Arabic neologisms of the nineteenth century …—
Bernard Lewis
Bernard LewisHis bibliography contains no classical Arabic texts and only a handful of dubiously transliterated recent Arabic titles …—Pierre Cachia
Pierre Cachia… edited and reviewed by Arabic scholars in Paris …—Edwin McDowell
Edwin McDowell2
: expressed in or utilizing Arabic numerals
21 is an Arabic number.
Arabic notation
3
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Arabia or the Arabs
As Arabic music permeates various other sounds, so are western sounds finding their way into various Arabic musics.—Hank Bordowitz
Hank BordowitzThe Middle East meets the Wild West in this variation on Arabic hummus.—Steven Raichlen
Steven RaichlenThere still exist some folk instruments in Portugal whose names indicate their Arabic origin.—Alexander Buchner
Alexander BuchnerExamples of Arabic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Katia Damborsky, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
In Arabic, Greek and English with English subtitles.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 14 July 2025
Intifada is an Arabic word for uprising, and in a Palestinian context usually refers to two periods of violence between Israeli authorities and Palestinian militant groups and demonstrators.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for Arabic
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Noun
The yacht, which has a name meaning gazelle in Arabic, boasts around 20 per cent more interior volume than her predecessors, meaning boat show attendees will get to see a fresh take on an existing series.
—Katia Damborsky, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
In Arabic, Greek and English with English subtitles.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
Adjective
The storied outpost for spiced flatbreads and other Arabic street food will open in Jack London Square.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 14 July 2025
Intifada is an Arabic word for uprising, and in a Palestinian context usually refers to two periods of violence between Israeli authorities and Palestinian militant groups and demonstrators.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for Arabic
Cite this Entry
“Arabic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Arabic. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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