: 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
Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025
The company is preparing to launch its tools in Arabic and expand to other languages within the next few months.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
Introduction to Arabic Calligraphy: Discover the timeless art of Arabic calligraphy through the artistic practice of handwriting based on Arabic alphabet.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Arabic
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Noun
The main languages spoken in Morocco are French (the country was a former protectorate), English, and Darija, a dialect of Arabic primarily spoken in North Africa.
—Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025
The company is preparing to launch its tools in Arabic and expand to other languages within the next few months.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Each part of the Middle East has its own variation of this Arabic dessert, some with and some without cheese.
—Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
Introduction to Arabic Calligraphy: Discover the timeless art of Arabic calligraphy through the artistic practice of handwriting based on Arabic alphabet.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 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 18 Apr. 2025.
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