Word
arabian
Phoneticsara·bi·an
/əˈɹeɪbiən/
Definitions
01relating to Arabia
adj. relating to the Arabian Peninsula, its people, or its culture.
adj. pertaining to the Arabian Peninsula, its inhabitants, or its cultural heritage.
“The museum has a beautiful collection of ancient Arabian jewelry.”
“The expedition aimed to document the unique biodiversity found across the vast Arabian desert landscapes.”
Pitfall
He is learning the Arabian language.
He is learning the Arabic language.
Use 'Arabian' for things like horses, nights, or the peninsula; use 'Arabic' for the language itself.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse 'Arabian' (geographic/cultural) with 'Arabic' (linguistic).
Synonyms
03a person
n. a person who comes from Arabia.
n. a native or inhabitant of the Arabian Peninsula.
“The travelers met an Arabian who showed them the way to the oasis.”
“Historical accounts describe the interactions between European merchants and the Arabians who controlled the spice routes.”
Formal · Archaic
Teaching tip
In modern English, 'Arab' is the standard term for the person; 'Arabian' as a noun for a person is mostly found in older literature.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“It takes place on 2 August 2027 and will be visible from southern Spain, in cities such as Malaga, as well as northern Africa and the Arabian peninsula.” Etymology
From Arabia + -n.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/arabian