Legacy of Arabic ‫إرث اﻟ�ﻠﻤﺎت اﳌﻘ��ﺿﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﺮ�ﻴﺔ‬

Loanwords in English ‫�� اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺠﻠ��ﻳﺔ‬

English has enriched its vocabulary with a vast array of
words from Arabic, covering varied domains such as
science, mathematics, astronomy, navigation, cuisine,
culture, and commerce.
Estimating the precise number of these borrowings is
complex, given the fluid nature of language adaptation
and the morphing of words over time. However, it is
widely recognized that English has integrated several
thousand Arabic terms into its lexicon throughout its
evolution.
Delving into the origins of Arabic loanwords in English
unveils a fascinating view of the rich interplay of
linguistic and cultural exchanges. These terms often
entered English through various pathways, including
intermediary languages such as Spanish, Italian, or
French, reflecting the deep historical connections
between the Islamic world and Europe.
The journey of Arabic loanwords into English was
primarily facilitated by trade, conquest, scholarly
collaboration, and cultural exchanges, particularly
during the pivotal periods of the Middle Ages and the
Renaissance.
These eras marked a renewed engagement with
classical knowledge, much of which was preserved and
expanded upon by Islamic scholars, as well as the
broadening horizons of European empires and their
interactions with Arab culture and language.
‫ﻟﻘﺪ اﻋﺘﻤﺪت اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺠﻠ��ﻳﺔ ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ واﺳﻌﺔ ﻣﻦ اﻟ�ﻠﻤﺎت ﻣﻦ‬
‫ ﻋﻠﻢ‬،‫ اﻟﺮ�ﺎﺿﻴﺎت‬،‫ �ﻐﻄﻲ ﻣﺠﺎﻻت ﻣﺘﻨﻮﻋﺔ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻟﻌﻠﻮم‬،‫اﻟﻌﺮ�ﻴﺔ‬
.‫ واﻟﺘﺠﺎرة‬،‫ اﻟﺜﻘﺎﻓﺔ‬،‫ اﻟﻄ�ي‬،‫ اﳌﻼﺣﺔ‬،‫اﻟﻔﻠﻚ‬
ً ،‫ﺗﻘﺪﻳﺮ اﻟﻌﺪد اﻟﺪﻗﻴﻖ ﻟهﺬﻩ اﻻﺳﺘﻌﺎرات ﻟﻐﻮ�ﺔ ﻣﻌﻘﺪ‬
‫ﻧﻈﺮا‬
‫ وﻣﻊ‬.‫ﻟﻄﺒﻴﻌﺔ اﻟﺘﻜﻴﻒ اﻟﻠﻐﻮي اﳌﺘﻐ��ة وﺗﻄﻮر اﻟ�ﻠﻤﺎت ﻋ�� اﻟﺰﻣﻦ‬
‫ ُ�ﻌ��ف ﻋ�� ﻧﻄﺎق واﺳﻊ ﺑﺄن اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺠﻠ��ﻳﺔ ﻗﺪ دﻣﺠﺖ‬،‫ذﻟﻚ‬
.‫اﻵﻻف ﻣﻦ اﻟ�ﻠﻤﺎت اﻟﻌﺮ�ﻴﺔ �� ﻣ�جﻤهﺎ ﻋ�� ﺗﻄﻮرهﺎ‬
‫اﻟﻐﻮص �� أﺻﻮل اﻟ�ﻠﻤﺎت اﳌﻌﺎرة ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﺮ�ﻴﺔ �� اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺠﻠ��ﻳﺔ‬
‫ﻳﻜﺸﻒ ﻋﻦ ﻣﻨﻈﻮر ﻣﺜ�� ﻟﻼهﺘﻤﺎم ﺣﻮل اﻟﺘﺒﺎدل اﻟﺜﻘﺎ�� واﻟﻠﻐﻮي‬
‫ﻏﺎﻟﺒﺎ ﻣﺎ دﺧﻠﺖ هﺬﻩ اﻟ�ﻠﻤﺎت إ�� اﻹﻧﺠﻠ��ﻳﺔ ﻋ�� ﻣﺴﺎرات‬ً .‫اﻟﻐ�ي‬
‫ أو‬،‫ اﻹﻳﻄﺎﻟﻴﺔ‬،‫ ﺑﻤﺎ �� ذﻟﻚ ﻟﻐﺎت وﺳﻴﻄﺔ ﻣﺜﻞ اﻹﺳﺒﺎﻧﻴﺔ‬،‫ﻣﺘﻌﺪدة‬
‫ ﻣﻤﺎ �ﻌﻜﺲ اﻟﻌﻼﻗﺎت اﻟﺘﺎر�ﺨﻴﺔ اﻟﻌﻤﻴﻘﺔ ﺑ�ن اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ‬،‫اﻟﻔﺮ�ﺴﻴﺔ‬
.‫اﻹﺳﻼﻣﻲ وأورو�ﺎ‬
ً ‫�ﺎﻧﺖ رﺣﻠﺔ اﻟ�ﻠﻤﺎت اﳌﻌﺎرة ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﺮ�ﻴﺔ إ�� اﻹﻧﺠﻠ��ﻳﺔ ﺗﺘﻢ‬
‫أﺳﺎﺳﺎ‬
‫ واﻟﺘﺒﺎدﻻت‬،‫ اﻟﺘﻌﺎون اﻟﻌﻠ�ي‬،‫ اﻟﻔﺘﻮﺣﺎت‬،‫ﻋ�� ﻗﻨﻮات اﻟﺘﺠﺎرة‬
‫ و�ﺸ�ﻞ ﺧﺎص ﺧﻼل اﻟﻌﺼﻮر اﻟﻮﺳﻄﻰ وﻋﺼﺮ‬،‫اﻟﺜﻘﺎﻓﻴﺔ‬
‫ ﻣﺜﻠﺖ هﺬﻩ ا�حﻘﺐ زﻣﻨﻴﺔ ﺗﺠﺪﻳﺪ اﻟﺘﻔﺎﻋﻞ ﻣﻊ اﳌﻌﺮﻓﺔ‬.‫اﻟ��ﻀﺔ‬
ُ
،‫ اﻟ�ي ُﺣﻔﻈﺖ وأﺛﺮ�ﺖ ﺑﻮاﺳﻄﺔ اﻟﻌﻠﻤﺎء اﳌﺴﻠﻤ�ن‬،‫اﻟﻜﻼﺳﻴﻜﻴﺔ‬
‫ﺑﺎﻹﺿﺎﻓﺔ إ�� ﺗﻮﺳﻊ اﻷﻓﻖ ﻟﻺﻣ��اﻃﻮر�ﺎت اﻷورو�ﻴﺔ وﺗﻔﺎﻋﻼ��ﺎ ﻣﻊ‬
.‫اﻟﺜﻘﺎﻓﺔ واﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻟﻌﺮ�ﻴﺔ‬

Here are the 100 most significant words that have

��‫إﻟﻴﻜﻢ ﻗﺎﺋﻤﺔ ﺗﻀﻢ أهﻢ ﻣﺎﺋﺔ �ﻠﻤﺔ اﻧﺘﻘﻠﺖ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻌﺮ�ﻴﺔ إ‬
journeyed from Arabic to English, along with their .‫ ﻣ�حﻮ�ﺔ ﺑﺪراﺳﺔ أﺻﻮﻟهﺎ اﻟﻠﻐﻮ�ﺔ‬،‫اﻹﻧﺠﻠ��ﻳﺔ‬
etymologies.

Admiral ‫أﻣ�� اﻟﺒﺤﺮ‬ meaning "commander of the sea." It entered English through either French or
Italian in the medieval period.
Adobe ‫اﻟﻄﻮب‬ meaning "the brick." Spanish adopted it as "adobe," from which English
borrowed it, reflecting the influence of Arabic on Spanish during the Moorish
rule.
Afrit ‫ﻋﻔﺮ�ﺖ‬ referring to a powerful and malevolent genie. The concept entered European
languages through translations of Middle Eastern tales like those in "One
Thousand and One Nights."
Albatross ‫اﻟﻐﻄﺎس‬ meaning "the diver." It was likely adopted by Portuguese or Spanish sailors
and then entered English.

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Alchemy ‫اﻟﻜﻴﻤﻴﺎء‬ which entered Medieval Latin as "alchimia" before coming into English. This
reflects the transmission of scientific knowledge from the Arab world to
Europe.
Alcohol ‫اﻟﻜﺤﻮل‬ meaning "the kohl," and originally referred to the fine powder used for
eyeliner. It later evolved to mean "the essence" or "spirit" of something,
leading to its modern meaning.
Alcove ‫اﻟﻘﺒﺔ‬ meaning "the vault," through Spanish "alcoba." It reflects the architectural
influence of the Arab world on Spain.
Alembic ‫اﻹﻧبﻴﻖ‬ meaning "the still," through Medieval Latin "alembicus." It underscores the
Arab contributions to chemistry and distillation techniques.
Alfalfa ‫اﻟﻔﺼﻔﺼﺔ‬ meaning "fresh fodder." It reflects the agricultural practices and crop names
brought from the Arab world to Spain and then to the Americas.
Algebra ��‫ا�ج‬ meaning "completion" or "rejoining," coined by the mathematician Al
Khwarizmi. It showcases the Arab world's contributions to mathematics
Algorithm ‫ا�خﻮارزﻣﻲ‬ Derived from the name of the mathematician Al Khwarizmi, who wrote
influential texts on algebra. His name became synonymous with the
systematic procedures in mathematics and computing.
Alidade ‫اﻟﻌﻀﺎدة‬ an instrument used in navigation and astronomy, reflecting the technological
exchange between cultures.
Alizarin ‫اﻟﻌﺼﺎرة‬ meaning "the juice," referring to the dye obtained from madder plants. It
emphasizes the transfer of knowledge in dyeing and chemistry.
Alkali ��‫اﻟﻘ‬ meaning "the ashes," indicating substances derived from the ashes of plants,
used in making soap, glass, etc.
Almanac ‫اﳌﻨﺎخ‬ possibly meaning "climate" and reflecting the Arab contributions to
astronomy and navigation.
Amber ��‫ﻋﻨ‬ referring to the hardened aromatic resin used in jewelry and perfume. The
trade in amber was significant in ancient and medieval times, facilitating its
linguistic transfer.
Aniline ‫اﻟﻨﻴﻞ‬ meaning "the indigo plant," through German or French, reflecting the trade
and chemical study of dyes.
Apricot ‫اﻟ��ﻗﻮق‬ through Latin and then French, highlighting the spread of fruit cultivation
knowledge.
Arsenal ‫دار اﻟﺼﻨﺎﻋﺔ‬ meaning "house of manufacturing." The word entered Italian and French
before English, reflecting military exchanges.
Artichoke ‫ا�خﺮﺷﻮف‬ through Spanish then Italian. It illustrates the agricultural and culinary
influence of the Arab world.
Assassin ‫ﺣﺸﺎﺷ�ن‬ referring to a group known for committing murders under the influence of
hashish. It entered English through French, reflecting historical encounters
and perceptions.
Azimuth ‫اﻟﺴﻤﺖ‬ meaning "the direction." It reflects the navigational and astronomical
knowledge transferred from Arab navigators and astronomers.
Azure ‫ﻟﺰورد‬ referring to lapis lazuli, a deep blue stone. The word came to English via
Persian and then Latin or French, indicating the trade routes for precious
stones.
Benzoin ‫ﻟﺒﺎن ﺟﺎوي‬ meaning "Java frankincense." It entered English through Italian or Spanish,
reflecting the spice and resin trade.
Borax ‫ﺑﻮرق‬ reflecting the trade and use of mineral substances for cleaning and glazing.
Cab cabriolet Shortened from "cabriolet," which is not directly from Arabic but illustrates
how unrelated terms can sometimes be mistakenly attributed. The actual
Arabic contributions are more in scientific, mathematical, and cultural terms.
Cable ‫ﺣﺒﻞ‬ Though not directly from Arabic, it's important to clarify that many nautical
terms in English have been influenced by Arabic through other Mediterranean
languages due to the Arabs' advanced seafaring and navigational skills.
Caliber ‫ﻗﺎﻟﺐ‬ meaning "mould." It indicates the precision and manufacturing processes in
which the Arab world excelled.
Camel ‫ﺟﻤﻞ‬ Though "camel" comes from Latin "camelus" and Greek "κάμηλος"
(kámēlos), the significance of camels in Arab culture and their mention in
Middle Eastern texts have enriched their cultural symbolism in the West.

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Camphor ‫�ﺎﻓﻮر‬ indicating the trade in medicinal and aromatic substances.
Candy ‫ﻗﻨﺪي‬ meaning "made of sugar," showing the influence of Arab confectionery.
Carafe ‫ﻏﺮﻓﺔ‬ indicating the utensils and dining practices introduced into Europe.
Carat ‫ﻗ��اط‬ reflecting the systems of weights and measures for precious metals and
stones.
Caraway ‫ﻛﺮاو�ﺔ‬ highlighting the culinary influences.
Carmine carminium Though "carmine" derives from Latin "carminium," Arabic influence on the
textile dye industry is significant, especially in terms of color names and
sources.
Carob ‫ﺧﺮوب‬ showing the spread of agricultural products.
Check ‫ﺷﻚ‬ meaning "condition" or "state," which became "check" in chess, illustrating
the cultural exchange through games.
Checkmate ‫ﺷﺎﻩ ﻣﺎت‬ meaning "the king is helpless," showing the strategic and cultural impact of
chess.
Chemistry ‫اﻟﻜﻴﻤﻴﺎء‬ reflecting the foundational contributions of Arab scholars to the science.
Cipher ‫ﺻﻔﺮ‬ meaning "zero," highlighting the mathematical and cryptographic
developments.
Coffee ‫ﻗهﻮة‬ reflecting the introduction of the beverage to Europe through Ottoman trade
routes.
Cotton ‫ﻗﻄﻦ‬ indicating the trade in textiles and the importance of cotton in global
markets.
Crimson ‫ﻗﺮﻣﺰي‬ refers to the crimson dye produced from certain insects, underscoring the
trade in dyes.
Damask ‫دﻣﺸﻖ‬ meaning Damascus, related to a richly patterned fabric, highlighting the city's
importance in textile production.
Dhow ‫داو‬ referring to a traditional sailing vessel, illustrating maritime culture and trade.
Divan ‫دﻳﻮان‬ came to denote government offices and later, a type of couch or ledger,
reflecting the administrative and cultural practices.
Elixir ��‫اﻹﻛﺴ‬ originally referring to a substance for transmuting metals into gold or for
creating the elixir of life, showcasing alchemical and philosophical ideas.
Fakir ��‫ﻓﻘ‬ meaning poor or humble, often referring to a Muslim religious ascetic.
Garnet ‫ﻏﺮﻧﺎط‬ related to pomegranate seeds by color, illustrating the linguistic and trade
connections.
Gauze ‫ﻏﺰة‬ pointing to a type of thin fabric, reflecting textile trade and technology.
Gazelle ‫ﻏﺰال‬ showing the exchange of fauna names and the fascination with exotic
animals.
Genie ‫ﺟﻦ‬ spiritual beings in Islamic mythology, introduced into English through
translations of "One Thousand and One Nights."
Ghazel ‫ﻏﺰل‬ a form of amatory poem or ode, demonstrating literary exchanges.
Ghoul ‫ﻏﻮل‬ a demon like being, illustrating the transfer of mythological creatures.
Giraffe ‫زراﻓﺔ‬ reflecting the animal's introduction to Europeans through North Africa.
Guitar ‫ﻗﻴﺜﺎرة‬ through Spanish "guitarra," showing the influence on musical instruments.
Harem ‫ﺣﺮ�ﻢ‬ denoting a sacred inviolable place; specifically, the part of a Muslim
household reserved for women.
Hashish ‫ﺣﺸيﺶ‬ meaning grass or herb, highlighting cultural practices.
Hazard ‫اﻟﺰهﺮ‬ meaning dice, showing the influence on gaming terms.
Henna ‫ﺣﻨﺎء‬ a dye prepared from the plant, illustrating the cultural practices of body art.
Imam ‫إﻣﺎم‬ meaning leader, particularly in a religious context.
Jackal ‫ﺷﻐﺎل‬ pointing to the animal and its symbolic meanings.

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Jar ‫ﺟﺮة‬ Though not directly from Arabic, its presence in English might echo the long
history of trade including ceramics and pottery.
Jasmine ‫ﻳﺎﺳﻤ�ن‬ showing the floral introductions and their cultural significance.
Julep ‫ﺟﻼب‬ originally a sweet drink, indicating the culinary influences.
Kaffiyeh ‫�ﻮﻓﻴﺔ‬ a traditional headscarf, illustrating cultural attire and identity.
Khat ‫ﻗﺎت‬ a plant chewed for its stimulant effects, highlighting social and cultural
practices.
Kismet ‫ﻗﺴﻤﺔ‬ meaning fate or destiny, reflecting philosophical and cultural concepts.
Kohl ‫ﻛﺤﻞ‬ a cosmetic used for darkening the eyelids, showing the exchange in cosmetics
and personal care practices.
Lemon ‫ﻟﻴﻤﻮن‬ reflecting the introduction of various fruits to Europe.
Lute ‫اﻟﻌﻮد‬ a stringed instrument, highlighting musical exchanges.
Magazine ‫ﻣﺨﺎزن‬ meaning storehouses, reflecting the evolution of the term to mean a storage
of information.
Mattress ‫ﻣﻄﺮح‬ From Arabic "‫( "ﻣطرح‬maṭraḥ), meaning a place where something is thrown; a
mat or a cushion, reflecting domestic and lifestyle exchanges.
Minaret ‫ﻣﻨﺎرة‬ meaning lighthouse or tower, pointing to architectural influences.
Mocha ‫ا�خﺎ‬ a Yemeni port city famous for its coffee trade, reflecting the global coffee
trade.
Monsoon ‫ﻣﻮﺳﻢ‬ meaning season, indicating the weather patterns significant for navigation
and trade.
Muezzin ‫ﻣﺆذن‬ the one who calls to prayer, illustrating religious practices.
Mummy ‫ﻣﻮﻣﻴﺎء‬ originally referring to a substance used in embalming, which then came to
mean the embalmed body itself.
Musk ‫ﻣﺴﻚ‬ indicating the trade in aromatic substances.
Nadir ��‫ﻧﻈ‬ meaning opposite, in astronomy, the point directly below the observer.
Orange ‫ﻧﺎرﻧﺞ‬ through Old French, reflecting the citrus fruit trade.
Racket (sport) ‫راﺣﺔ‬ meaning palm of the hand, through a complex etymology involving the shape
and use in sports.
Saffron ‫زﻋﻔﺮان‬ showing the spice trade's impact on cuisine.
Sash ‫ﺷﺎش‬ indicating the exchange in clothing and textiles.
Satin ‫ز�ﺘﻮن‬ the Chinese city of Quanzhou, once romanized as Zayton, where satin was
first exported, showing the global textile trade.
Scarlet While "scarlet" has a complex etymology, the influence of Arabic textile
terms on European languages includes various color and fabric names.
Sesame ‫ﺳﻤﺴﻢ‬ reflecting the agricultural and culinary exchange.
Sherbet ‫ﺷﺮ�ﺎت‬ meaning a drink, reflecting culinary exchanges.
Sofa ‫ﺻﻔﺔ‬ a bench or platform, showing the influence on furniture.
Spinach ‫ﺳﺒﺎﻧﺦ‬ reflecting the introduction of various vegetables to Europe.
Sugar ‫ﺳﻜﺮ‬ showing the significant impact of the sugar trade.
Sultan ‫ﺳﻠﻄﺎن‬ meaning power or authority, reflecting governance and political titles.
Syrup ‫ﺷﺮاب‬ meaning a drink, showing the exchange in culinary practices.
Taffeta ‫ﻃﻔﺘﺎﻳﺔ‬ refers to a fine silk fabric, highlighting the influence of Arab textiles on
European markets.
Talisman ‫ﻃﻠﺴﻢ‬ indicating the transfer of mystical and magical concepts.
Tamarind ‫ﺗﻤﺮ هﻨﺪي‬ means "Indian date," reflecting its origins and the trade routes through which
it reached Europe.

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Tangerine Named after Tangier, Morocco, indicating the origin or trade route of the
fruit into Europe.
Tariff ‫�ﻌﺮ�ﻔﺔ‬ meaning notification or definition, showing the influence on trade and
economic terms.
Zenith ‫ﺳﻤﺖ اﻟﺮأس‬ literally means "direction of the head." The term was used in astronomy to
refer to the point in the sky directly above an observer. It entered English via
medieval Latin and French, reflecting Arabic contributions to astronomy and
navigation.
Zero ‫ﺻﻔﺮ‬ meaning "empty" or "nothing." The concept of zero as a numerical
placeholder was developed in the Arabic numeral system, which was
introduced to Europe through translations of Arabic mathematical texts
during the Middle Ages. The word "zero" itself entered English via Italian or
French.

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