Barbary Meaning in English

word

US

ˈbɑɹbɝi

BAR-ber-ee

UK

ˈbɑːbəri

BAH-buh-ree

Definition

Barbary usually refers to the Barbary Coast, a historical name for the coastal regions of North Africa (mainly Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya). It can also mean something related to this region, or, rarely and archaically, something barbaric.

Usage & Nuances

'Barbary' is mostly used in historical or geographic contexts today (e.g. 'Barbary pirates', 'Barbary Coast'). The use to mean 'barbaric' is outdated and very rare. Not commonly used in everyday conversation.

• Spanish: Barbaría (región histórica) - bárbaro (arcaico, poco común)
• Portuguese (BR): Barbária (região histórica) - bárbaro (arcaico, pouco comum)
• Portuguese (PT): Barbária (região histórica) - bárbaro (arcaico, pouco comum)
• Chinese (Simplified): 巴巴里（历史地区）
• Chinese (Traditional): 巴巴里（歷史地區）
• Hindi: बार्बरी (ऐतिहासिक क्षेत्र)
• Arabic: برابري (منطقة تاريخية)
• Bengali: বারবারি
• Russian: Барбари
• Japanese: バーバリー
• Vietnamese: Barbary
• Korean: 바르바리
• Turkish: Barbary
• Urdu: باربری
• Indonesian: Barbary

Example Sentences

The Barbary Coast was famous for its pirates.

basic

Many traders stopped at Barbary ports.

basic

The Barbary lion is now extinct in the wild.

basic

Back in the day, people really feared Barbary pirates.

natural

Have you ever studied the history of the Barbary Coast?

natural

Some old books use 'Barbary' to mean 'barbaric', but that's really outdated now.

natural