Persian Loanwords in English

Persia was an ancient civilization, crossed by important trade routes between east and west. Many Persian words were adopted into Arabic and from there into the European languages. The Persian language and culture also had a large influence on India, as several of the ruling dynasties there were of Persian origin. So some words on this quiz were borrowed by the British from Hindi. Lastly, the steppes of Asia and Europe were inhabited by nomadic Iranian peoples, such as the Scythians, the Sacae and the Sarmatians, during antiquity. In late antiquity, the Alans migrated into Central Europe. It is thought that some Germanic words were borrowed from them.
Not included: words with uncertain derivation from Persian, terms that we strongly associate with the Middle East or India.

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Last updated: April 7, 2025

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First submitted	April 7, 2025
Times taken	39
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A crop, also known as lucerne, similar to clover, mostly used as cattle fodder. The sprouts are also eaten by man. Lastly, a rascal from Our Gang. Can be traced back to Median.

alfalfa

A sequence of mathematical instructions to reach a desired result. There are concerns about some of these implemented by social media. Named after a Persian mathematician from the Khwarazm region in Central Asia.

algorithm

Fossilized tree resin, used as jewelry and sometimes contains insects. Usually has a yellow or orange color.

amber

Metalloid chemical element used historically as a poison. Can be yellow.

arsenic

Blue, the color of the sky. From the same source as †.

azure

The chemical element with atomic number 5. Despite its low number, it is quite rare. A salt of this element is used in the production of glass and ceramic glazes and as poison for ants and termites.

boron

A group of travelers, especially with camels. Or a British term for a camper attached to a car.

caravan

When the king is threatened with capture in a specific board game. All other senses of this word derive from this one. This word and the name of the board game itself are derived from the Persian word for king, "shah".

check

A large hoofed mammal which you can ride. Possibly borrowed by the Proto-Germanic peoples from Alanic.*

horse

A vine with small white flowers, used for perfume and tea. Also a girl's name.

jasmine

The color of sand or dust, especially for clothing. Often used by the military in deserts, originally by the British in India. In the plural, it means pants of this color.

khaki

In the Middle East, a pavillion. In Europe, a small booth selling newspapers and tobacco.

kiosk

† A deep blue stone. Powdered, a very expensive dye in the Middle Ages called ultramarine. It was also popular in Ancient Egypt. The first word is Latin for 'stone'. The second word probably derives from the place in modern day Afghanistan where it was mined.

lapis lazuli

Large cat with spots native to Africa and Asia.

leopard

A certain plant, or the light purple color of its flowers.

lilac

Supernatural power, sorcery.

magic

An ancient preserved body, especially the ones from Egypt.

mummy

Night clothes. The British borrowed the word from Hindi, which borrowed it from Persian.

pajamas

The Garden of Eden, heaven, or a pleasant abode.

paradise

A trail, way, course. Off the beaten ___ or the primrose ___. Possibly borrowed from Alanic.*

path

A green nut and a favorite flavor for ice cream.

pistachio

Leafy green which is Popeye's source of power.

spinach

Soft mineral used in baby powder.

talc

Small drum with metal jingles in its sides.

tambourine

A spring flower grown in Holland. Thought to be from the same source as the word 'turban'.

tulip

A substitute for diamonds. Also the name of a chemical element.

cubic zirconia

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3 Comments

Level 79

Apr 7, 2025

Some words that may be derived from Persian:

bombastic, carmine and crimson, gauze, gazette, hamster, jar, chamber and camera, caviar, rook (tower in chess), rose, tapestry, tiger.

Words certainly from Persian but associated with the Middle East or India: bazaar, naan, paneer, scimitar, samosa.

Level 68

Apr 7, 2025

Thanks for making this quiz. I love etymologies. You know a lot about this topic. How did you research it?

Level 79

Apr 9, 2025

My pleasure! I took a look at some pages such as this one on wiktionary and I picked out the words I recognized. When you click on a word, wiktionary usually has an etymology. I compared this with two other sources: etymonline and etymologiebank, a Dutch reference work (of course this only works if the Dutch word is related to the English word, but for these quizzes, that is true most of the time).