: 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
Alex Ritman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
The district serves approximately 22,000 emergent bilingual students whose families speak more than 100 languages, including Spanish, Pashto, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Arabic.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
Shahid leads the Middle East’s $1 billion streaming market with a 22% share, according to research firm Omdia, and is the go-to for new Arabic dramas and MBC classics popular with older viewers.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for Arabic
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Noun
There were references in one scene to some TV show that to me was like ancient Arabic.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
The district serves approximately 22,000 emergent bilingual students whose families speak more than 100 languages, including Spanish, Pashto, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Arabic.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Adjective
The Food Arabic coffee flavored with cardamom is poured from a traditional dallah coffee pot and served with dates as a welcome treat to begin the flight.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
Shahid leads the Middle East’s $1 billion streaming market with a 22% share, according to research firm Omdia, and is the go-to for new Arabic dramas and MBC classics popular with older viewers.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 30 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 6 Aug. 2025.
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