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nabob

noun
na·​bob | \ ˈnā-ˌbäb How to pronounce nabob (audio) \

Definition of nabob

1 : a provincial governor of the Mogul empire in India
2 : a person of great wealth or prominence
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about nabob

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Did You Know?

In India's Mogul Empire, founded in the 16th century, provincial governors carried the Urdu title of nawab. In 1612, Captain Robert Coverte published a report of his "discovery" of "the Great Mogoll, a prince not till now knowne to our English nation." The Captain informed the English-speaking world that "An earle is called a Nawbob," thereby introducing the English version of the word. Nabob, as it thereafter came to be spelled, gained its extended sense of "a prominent person" in the late 18th century, when it was applied sarcastically to British officials of the East India Company returning home after amassing great wealth in Asia. The word was perhaps most famously used by Vice President Spiro Agnew, in a 1970 speech written by William Safire, when he referred to critical members of the news media as "nattering nabobs of negativism."

Examples of nabob in a Sentence

dressed conservatively so as to make a good impression with the nabobs on the co-op's board

Recent Examples on the Web

 All those nattering nabobs of negativism in the press were certainly guaranteed to give this speech the back of the hand, right? — Jamie Dupree, AJC.com, "After a rough and tumble 2017, Trump calls for bipartisanship, unity in 2018," 31 Jan. 2018 If Tebow does not in fact disagree with Jeffress on any of these points, then his decision looks like nothing more than craven capitulation to the nattering nabobs of negativism and intolerance. — Robert Klemko, SI.com, "They Came to See Tim Tebow," 17 Aug. 2017 My, oh my, sounds like a nattering nabob of negativity. — Letter Writers, Twin Cities, "Letters: Feeling the future of I-94?," 11 June 2017 The incessant nattering of the nabobs back there in coach. — Michael Calore, WIRED, "Review: Noise-Canceling Headphones," 18 June 2012

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nabob.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of nabob

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for nabob

Hindi navāb & Urdu nawāb, from Arabic nuwwāb, plural of nā'ib governor

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More Definitions for nabob

nabob

noun
How to pronounce nabob (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of nabob

informal : a very rich or important person

See the full definition for nabob in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on nabob

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with nabob

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nabob

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nabob

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