English Explanatory Dictionary

nabob

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An Indian ruler within the Mogul empire.
  2. Someone of great wealth or importance.
  3. A person with a grandiose style or manner.

Pronunciation

/ˈneɪbɑb/ /ˈneɪbɒb/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-nabob.wav

Word forms

nabob nabobs

Etymology

In colloquial usage in English since 1612, from a corruption of Hindustani नवाब (navāb) / نواب (navāb, “nawab”), perhaps via Portuguese nababo, from Classical Persian نَوَّاب (nawwāb), from Arabic نُوَّاب (nuwwāb), the honorific plural of نَائِب (nāʔib, “deputy”).

Synonyms

nawab overling provost ruler mogul tycoon magnate

Related words

Binky Nabob nawab

Derived words

nabobery nabobess nabobhood nabobic nabobical nabobish nabobism nabobship Nob Hill
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