Etymology Map
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Nazar

3 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means an amulet against the evil eye, especially the blue glass eye bead

Where does the word "nazar" come from? It comes from Arabic naẓar, passing through Turkish before entering English (2000s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
naẓar
Arabic · medieval
"gaze"
sight or glance, including a harmful envious look
2
Stage 2 of 3
nazar
Turkish · 1500s
"evil eye, amulet"
the blue-and-white 'nazar boncuğu' glass bead is hung in homes, cars and on babies' clothes
3
Stage 3 of 3
nazar
English · 2000s
"evil-eye amulet"
entered English as the eye bead became a popular souvenir and jewellery motif
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Read the full story

Nazar’s story begins in Arabic: naẓar meant “gaze.” Sight or glance, including a harmful envious look. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Turkish as nazar. The blue-and-white 'nazar boncuğu' glass bead is hung in homes, cars and on babies' clothes. It reached English by 2000s as nazar. Entered English as the eye bead became a popular souvenir and jewellery motif. Today, nazar means an amulet against the evil eye, especially the blue glass eye bead.