Definition of Arabic
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
Arabic
adjectiveDefinition of Arabic (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: of, relating to, or constituting the language Arabic
… Arabic neologisms of the nineteenth century …— Bernard Lewis His bibliography contains no classical Arabic texts and only a handful of dubiously transliterated recent Arabic titles …— Pierre Cachia … edited and reviewed by Arabic scholars in Paris …— Edwin McDowell
2
: 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 The Middle East meets the Wild West in this variation on Arabic hummus.— Steven Raichlen There still exist some folk instruments in Portugal whose names indicate their Arabic origin.— Alexander Buchner
Buying Guide
Learn a new language with apps selected by our Reviews team.
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Food
-
- Name these cookies!

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share Arabic
Time Traveler for Arabic
The first known use of Arabic was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century