Arabs

/ˈærəbz/ noun

Definition

People who are from Arabia or Arab countries, or who speak Arabic as their primary language and identify with Arab culture.

Etymology

From Latin 'Arabes' and Greek 'Araboi,' referring to people from Arabia. The term originally described the Bedouin tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. The word likely comes from a Semitic root and has been used since ancient times to describe these peoples.

Kelly Says

The Arab world spans 22 countries across North Africa and the Middle East with over 400 million people speaking Arabic, yet the word 'Arab' originally just meant the people of the desert peninsula. Today it represents one of the world's largest cultural and linguistic groups, yet many Arabic-speaking people have ancestors who weren't originally from Arabia!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Arab women have been historically rendered invisible in Western discourse; the term is often used with masculine generics (e.g., 'Arab scientist' defaulting to male). Reclamation efforts center women's voices in Arab intellectual and cultural spheres.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'Arab women and men' or specify demographic when relevant; default to plural awareness of gender diversity within Arab societies.

Inclusive Alternatives

["Arab people","Arabs of all genders"]

Empowerment Note

Arab women scholars, scientists, and artists have shaped intellectual traditions across STEM, literature, and policy—often uncredited in Western records. Deliberately crediting them combats erasure.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.