English Reference

Word

emir

US/eɪˈmɪɹ/

UK/ˈɛmiə/

Definition

n. a title for a ruler or a high-ranking leader in some Muslim countries. It is similar to a prince or a king.

n. a title for a sovereign ruler, nobleman, or high-ranking military official in various parts of the Muslim world. Often used to refer to the head of state in certain Middle Eastern nations.

Examples

“The emir met with other world leaders to discuss trade.”

“The emir issued a royal decree to modernize the country's infrastructure and improve public education.”

Examples

simple

“The emir met with other world leaders to discuss trade.”

contextual

“The emir issued a royal decree to modernize the country's infrastructure and improve public education.”

Usage

Often capitalized when used as a specific title before a name.

Real-World Examples

“Ossoff attacked Trump's "travel with Natalie on their apparently defenceless flying palace gifted by the Emir of Qatar".”
BBC News · 19 Aug 2026
“Even the entreaties of Islamic scholars and officials of Islamic countries the world over have not bent the iron will of the emir and his enforcers, especially on the most sensitive issue of education.”
BBC News · 14 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Middle French emir, from Ottoman Turkish امیر (emir), from Arabic أَمِير (ʔamīr, “commander, prince”). Doublet of amir, Amir, admiral, and amira.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

emirNounemirateNoun

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference