Etymology Map
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Ramadan

2 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed as a month of fasting

Where does the word "ramadan" come from? It comes from Arabic ramaḍān, adopted directly into English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
ramaḍān
Arabic · medieval
"the hot month"
from 'ramaḍ', scorching heat, since in the old calendar the month fell in summer
2
Stage 2 of 2
Ramadan
English · 1590s
"month of fasting"
borrowed in travellers' accounts of the Islamic world
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Read the full story

Ramadan’s story begins in Arabic: ramaḍān meant “the hot month.” From 'ramaḍ', scorching heat, since in the old calendar the month fell in summer. It reached English by 1590s as Ramadan. Borrowed in travellers' accounts of the Islamic world. Today, ramadan means the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed as a month of fasting.