عود
ʕūd/ʕuːd/
The Arabic word for the plucked string instrument 'oud' is عود (ʕūd).
The word عود refers to the traditional Arabic plucked string instrument. Additionally, the formal term العود can be used to refer to the musical instrument or the fragrant substance derived from the oud tree.
Meaning: Arabic plucked string instrument (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term عود literally translates to 'wood' or 'stick', which refers to the wooden body of the instrument.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ʕūd.
Did you know?
- The name of the عود may actually stem from a Middle Persian word for 'string' rather than the Arabic word for 'wood'. This linguistic shift is a rare phenomenon known as liquid rebracketing.
- While we often think of it as just an instrument, the word عود is also the standard term for a highly prized, fragrant substance derived from trees.
- The earliest known ancestor of the عود was described in Sumerian as 'wood that has voice', referring to a wooden rod that ran through the entire body of the instrument.
Examples in context
- في حفل الأمس، قام الموسيقي بعزف العود ببراعة.During yesterday's concert, the musician played the oud skillfully.
- هذا عود قديم.Hadha oud qadim.This is an old oud.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry عود, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries عود, CC BY-SA 4.0.
