Did you know that some of the words we use in everyday English come from Arabic? It’s fascinating how languages influence each other, and English has absorbed many words from Arabic over the centuries. This linguistic exchange is a testament to the rich interactions between cultures, especially through trade, science, and exploration. Today, we’ll explore some common Arabic words in English and how they’ve shaped our language.

How Did Arabic Words Enter the English Language?

Arabic has contributed to English mainly through two pathways: scientific advancements and trade. During the Islamic Golden Age, scholars from the Arab world made significant strides in fields like mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. As European scholars translated these works into Latin and later English, many Arabic terms found their way into the English lexicon. Meanwhile, trade routes spanning from the Middle East to Europe and Asia brought Arabic words into everyday English usage, particularly in fields like agriculture, food, and textiles.

These English words from Arabic are not just academic or historical curiosities but words we use regularly, often without realizing their origin.

Common English Words with Arabic Origin

Let’s dive into some examples of English words of Arabic origin and explore their stories.

1. Coffee قهوة

 – Did you know that your morning cup of coffee has Arabic roots? The word “coffee” comes from the Arabic word “قَهْوة” (qahwa), which refers to a type of drink made from coffee beans. Coffee originated in the Arab world, and it’s no surprise that its name followed it on its global journey.

2. Sugar سكر

Another essential part of daily life, “sugar” also has its origins in Arabic. The word comes from the Arabic term “سُكَّر” (sukkar), which was adopted into medieval Latin and eventually became “sugar” in English. Imagine the global trade networks that brought this sweet treat and its name across continents!

3. Alcohol الكحول

The word “alcohol” has a scientific origin, derived from the Arabic word “الكُحُول” (al-kuḥūl), which referred to a fine powder or substance. Over time, it evolved to describe distilled spirits in the English language.

4. Algebra الجبر: 

From the realm of mathematics, algebra comes from the Arabic “الجَبْر” (al-jabr), meaning “reunion of broken parts.” Al-Khwarizmi, an Arab mathematician, wrote a groundbreaking book on solving equations, and his work laid the foundation for modern algebra.

5. Zero – صفر

Speaking of mathematics, did you know the concept of “zero” (صِفْر, sifr) comes from Arabic? This mathematical breakthrough was passed from the Arab world to Europe during the Middle Ages, transforming how we understand numbers and calculations.

6. Safari – سفر

If you’ve ever dreamt of going on a safari, you might be surprised to learn that the word “safari” has Arabic roots. It comes from “سَفَر” (safar), which means “journey” or “travel.” The term made its way into Swahili and later into English to describe a trip through the African wilderness.

These are just a few examples of English words derived from Arabic. As you can see, the impact of Arabic on the English language is both profound and enduring.

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Lesser-Known English Words of Arabic Origin

Beyond common words, there are many other English words that come from Arabic that you might not recognize as being from Arabic.

7. Admiral أمير 

This word comes from the Arabic “أَمِير” (amīr), meaning “commander,” and was combined with Latin and Old French terms to form the English “admiral.”

8. Cotton قطن 

The fabric “cotton” has its origins in the Arabic “قُطْن” (quṭn), another word that traveled along trade routes and became a staple term in English.

These words remind us how languages constantly evolve, borrowing and adapting from each other.

9. Attar عطر

The word “attar,” which refers to essential oils or perfumes (often of roses), is derived from the Arabic word “عِطْر” (ʿitr), meaning “perfume” or “aroma.” Arabic-speaking merchants were well-known for trading attar and other fragrances across the Middle East and Europe.

10. Azure (colour), Lazurite (mineral), Azurite (mineral), Lazulite (mineral) لازورد

The word “azure” in English comes from the Arabic “لازورد” (lāzward), referring to the brilliant blue color seen in lapis lazuli, a valuable stone used since ancient times. The word traveled via Persian and later into European languages, transforming into “azure” in English, meaning sky-blue. Its association with minerals like azurite and lazurite comes from the same root.

11. Alkali القلي

The term “alkali” comes from “القلي” (al-qalī), which means ashes of plants, specifically used for making lye. The concept of alkali is a crucial one in chemistry, describing substances that neutralize acids. The Arabs made significant contributions to the field of chemistry, including this word.

12. Alchemy, Chemistry الكيمياء

“Alchemy” and “chemistry” both have roots in the Arabic word “الكيمياء” (al-kīmiyā’), referring to the ancient practice of transforming materials. During the Middle Ages, alchemy was practiced by many scholars in the Islamic world, laying the groundwork for modern chemistry. The word passed into Latin as “alchemia” and eventually into English as “alchemy.”

13. Azimuth السمت

“Azimuth” is derived from the Arabic word “السمت” (as-samt), which means “the way” or “the path.” This term is used in astronomy and navigation to describe the horizontal angle of a compass direction, which was essential in medieval Arabic astronomy.

14. Aubergine الباذنجان

The word “aubergine,” commonly used in British English to describe the eggplant, comes from the Arabic “الباذنجان” (al-bādinjān). The fruit and the name traveled through Spain (where it became “berenjena”) before reaching France and England as “aubergine.”

15. Artichoke الخرشوف

“Artichoke” derives from the Arabic word “الخرشوف” (al-kharshūf), meaning the same vegetable. The term came to English via Spain and Italy, where it was cultivated in medieval times. The Arabs played a crucial role in bringing artichokes to the Mediterranean region.

16. Ambergris and possibly Amber عنبر

“Ambergris” and “amber” are likely derived from the Arabic “عنبر” (ʿanbar), which originally referred to ambergris, a valuable substance used in perfumes. Ambergris is produced in the digestive systems of sperm whales and was highly prized in medieval trade.

17. Alcove القبة

The word “alcove” comes from “القُبَّة” (al-qobba), which means “vault” or “dome.” In architecture, an alcove is a recessed space, often seen in Middle Eastern designs, and was adapted into European architectural terminology.

18. Camphor كافور

“Camphor” comes from the Arabic “كافور” (kāfūr), a substance that was imported from the East Indies during the Middle Ages. Camphor was used both in medicine and perfumery, and the word traveled into English through Arabic and other languages.

19. Curcuma (plant genus), Curcumin, Curcuminoid كركم

The word “curcuma,” referring to turmeric and its associated products like curcumin, comes from the Arabic “كركم” (kurkum), which means ground turmeric root. This spice, prized for its flavor and medicinal properties, became a staple in both Eastern and Western kitchens.

20. Garble غربل

“Garble” comes from the Arabic “غربل” (gharbal), meaning “to sift.” In English, to garble something originally meant to sort or sift out the good parts, but over time, it came to mean distorting or misrepresenting information.

List of examples of English words of Arabic origin

Here is a table highlighting more of English words of Arabic origin, along with their Arabic equivalents and literal meanings:

English Word	Arabic Origin	Literal Meaning of the Arabic
Assassin	الحَشَّاشِين	A secret religious sect known for carrying out assassinations
Admiral	أَمِير البِحَار	Commander of the seas
Jasmine	يَاسْمِين	Jasmine
Algorithm	خُوَارِزْمِيَّة	Al-Khwarizmi’s (related to the mathematician Al-Khwarizmi)
Safari	سَفَر	Journey
Henna	حِنّاء	Henna (hair dye)
Guitar	قِيثَارة	Lyre
Monsoon	مَوْسِم	Season
Elixir	الإكْسِير	Alchemical philosopher’s stone (believed to turn metals into gold)
Saffron	زَعْفَرَان	Saffron
Zero	صِفْر	Zero/ empty or nothing
Hashish	حَشِيش	Weed/ grass/ herb
Arsenal	دَار الصِنَاعَة	House of manufacturing
Aubergine	بَاذِنْجَان	Eggplant
Cotton	قُطْن	Cotton
Coffee/ Cafe	قَهْوَة	Coffee (from the Turkish “Kahva”)
Macabre	مَقابِر	Graves
Algebra	الجَبْر	The reunion of broken parts
Mummy	مُومْيَاء	Bitumen (used in embalming)
Carat	قِيرَاط	A small unit of weight (1/24th of a medieval Arabic gold Dinar)
Jinn	جِنّ	Genies or spirits
Hummus	حُمُّص	Chickpeas
Talisman	طِلْسَم	Magic charm
Spinach	سَبَانِخ	Spinach
Artichoke	الخُرْشُوف	The artichoke
Lute	العُود	Lute (musical instrument)
Algebra	الجَبْر	The reunion of broken parts
Assassin	الحَشَّاشِين	A secret religious sect known for carrying out assassinations
Admiral	أَمِير البِحَار	Commander of the seas
Magazine	مَخَازِن	Storehouses
Cipher	صِفْر	Zero/ empty or nothing
Loofah	لِيف	Fibrous sponge
Rook	رُخْ	Mythical bird or chess piece
Sash	شَاش	Fine muslin
Apricot	البَرْقُوق	Apricot or plum

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Fascinated by Arabic Words in English? Take the Next Step with Kalimah Center!

It’s amazing how many English words come from Arabic! But did you know that learning Arabic can unlock even more linguistic treasures?

At Kalimah Center, we offer online Arabic courses that will take you beyond just recognizing a few familiar words. We’ll help you:

• Master the Arabic alphabet and pronunciation: Discover the building blocks of the language and start reading and writing with confidence.
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• Develop your communication skills: Gain the confidence to speak Arabic fluently and engage with Arabic speakers around the world.

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FAQs about English Words Of Arabic Origin