List of English words of Turkic origin

This is a list of words that have entered into the English language from the Turkic languages. Many of them came via traders and soldiers from and in the Ottoman Empire. There are some Turkic words as well, most of them entered English via the Russian language. Template:Compact ToC

Introduction

Template:More citations needed section Languages of Turkic peoples left numerous traces in different languages, including the English language. Turkic borrowings, which belong to the social and political vocabulary, are generally used in special literature and in the historical and ethnographical works, which relate to the life of Turkic and Muslim peoples. The ethnographical words are generally used in the scientific literature, and in the historical and ethnographical texts.

The adoption of Indian (principally Hindustani) words, among which there were some Turkic borrowings, became one of the ways for the words of the Turkic origin to penetrate English. Additionally, several words of Turkic origin penetrated English through Central or Eastern European languages like Russian and Polish. Albanian, German, Latin, Spanish, Italian, French, Hungarian and Serbo-Croatian were also intermediary languages for the Turkic words to penetrate English, as well as containing numerous Turkic loanwords themselves (e.g. Serbo-Croatian contains around 5,000 Turkic loanwords, primarily from Turkish<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>).

In the nineteenth century, Turkic loanwords, generally of Turkish origin, began to penetrate not only through the writings of the travelers, diplomats and merchants, and through the ethnographical and historical works, but also through the press. In 1847, there were two English-language newspapers in Istanbul – The Levant Herald and The Levant Times, seven newspapers in French, one in German and 37 in Turkish. Turkish contributed the largest share of the Turkic loans, which penetrated into the English directly. This can be explained by the fact that Turkey had the most intensive and wide connections with England. Nevertheless, there are many Turkic loans in English, which were borrowed by its contacts with other peoples – Azerbaijanis, Tatars, Uzbeks, Kazakhs and Kirghiz.

File:Yeniceri aga.jpg

A Janissary agha

Most of the Turkic loans in English carry exotic or ethnographical connotations. They do not have equivalents in English, do not have synonymic relations with primordial words, and generally are used to describe the fauna, flora, life customs, political and social life, and an administrative-territorial structure of Turkic regions. But there are many Turkic loans, which are still part of the frequently used vocabulary. Some Turkic loans have acquired new meanings, unrelated to their etymology.

To conclude, the words of the Turkic origin began penetrating English as early as the Middle Ages, the Turkic loanwords found their way into English through other languages, most frequently through French. Since the 16c, beginning from the time of the establishment of the direct contacts between England and Turkey, and Russia, in English appeared new direct borrowings from Turkic languages. German, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, French, Arabic, Armenian, Afrikaans, Hungarian, Yiddish, Hindustani, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Malayan, to a different extent, took part in the process of the transfer of the Turkic words into English. The main language from which the borrowings were made, was Turkish.

A

Afshar

from Turkic Afshar, "a Turkic tribe living majorly in Kerman province of Iran". A Shiraz rug of coarse weave.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Afshar</ref><ref>TDK Online – AfşarTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Parvis Tanavoli On Afshar Rugs</ref>

Aga or Agha

from Turkish ağa, a title of rank, especially in Turkey.<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Aga</ref>

Aga Khan

from Turkic agha and khan, the divinely ordained head of the Nizari branch of Isma'ili Shi'a Islam.<ref>Dictionary.com – Aga Khan</ref>

Agaluk

from Turkish Ağalık, a feudal unit of the Ottoman Empire

Airan

from Turkish ayran<ref>Answers.com – Ayran</ref><ref>Fao.org – Airan in Main Categories of Products</ref><ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Airan</ref>

Akbash

from Turkish akbaş, literally "a whitehead"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Akche

from Turkish akçe, also asper, an Ottoman monetary unit that consisted of small silver coins.<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Akche</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Akhissar

from Turkish Akhisar, a city in Manisa Province, Turkey near İzmir. A kind of heavy modern carpet made at Akhisar.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Akhissar</ref>

Altay

from the Altai Mountains of Central Asia, which is from Turkic-Mongolian altan, meaning "golden". 1. the Altai horse 2. the Altay sheep<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Altai</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Altai Mountains</ref>

Altilik

from Turkish altılık. A coin formerly used in Turkey, originally silver, equivalent to six piastres.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Altilik</ref>

Araba

(from Template:Langx ʿarabah or the Turkish loan form araba, arba or aroba). A horse-driven carriage.

Arnaut

from Turkish arnavut, "an Albanian". An inhabitant of Albania and neighboring mountainous regions, especially an Albanian serving in the Turkish army.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Arnaut</ref>

Aslan

from Turkish Aslan, "lion".

Astrakhan

from Astrakhan, Russia, which is from Tatar or Kazakh hadžitarkhan, or As-tarxan (tarkhan of As or Alans) Karakul sheep of Russian origin or a cloth with a pile resembling karakul.<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Astrakhan</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Astrakhan</ref>

Atabeg

from Turkic atabeg, from ata, "a father" + beg "a prince".<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Atabeg</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – use of Atabeg in an article</ref>

Atabek

from Turkic, an alternative form of Atabeg.

Ataghan

from Turkish yatağan, an alternative form of yatagan.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Ataghan</ref>

Ataman

from Russian, from South Turkic ataman, "leader of an armed band" : ata, "father" + -man, augmentative suffix.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Aul

Russian, from the Tatar, Kyrgyz and Kazakh languages.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Aul</ref>

Ayran

see Airan

B

File:Baklava - Turkish special, 80-ply.JPEG

Pieces of baklava

Bahadur

from Hindi bahādur "brave, brave person", from Persian, probably from Mongolian, cf. Classical Mongolian baγatur, which is from Turkic, perhaps originally a Turkic personal name.<ref>Dictionary.com – Bahadur</ref>

Bairam

from Turkish bayram, literally "a festival"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Bairam</ref><ref>Allwords.com – Bairam</ref>

Baklava

from Turkish baklava<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Baklava</ref>

Balaclava

from Balaklava, village in the Crimea, which is from Turkish balıklava. A hoodlike knitted cap covering the head, neck, and part of the shoulders and worn especially by soldiers and mountaineers.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Balaclava</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Balaklava</ref>

Balalaika

from Russian balalaika, of Turkic origin.<ref>The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language – Balalaika</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Balkan

from Turkish balkan "a mountain chain", relating to the states of the Balkan Peninsula, or their peoples, languages, or cultures.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Bamia

from Turkish bamya.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Bamia</ref>

Ban

from Romanian, from Serbo-Croatian ban, "lord", which is from Turkic bayan, "very rich person" : bay, "rich" + -an, intensive suff.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Barbotte

from Canadian French barbotte, which is from Turkish barbut. A dice game.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Barbotte</ref>

Barchan/Barkhan

from Russian, which is from Kirghiz barkhan. A moving sand dune shaped like a crescent and found in several very dry regions of the world<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Barkhan</ref>

Bashaw

from Turkish başa, a variant of pasha<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Bashaw</ref>

Bashi-bazouk

from Turkish başıbozuk<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Bashi-bazouk</ref>

Bashlyk

from Turkish başlık, "a hood", from baş, "a head"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Bashlyk</ref>

Batman

from Turkish batman. Any of various old Persian or Turkish units of weight<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Batman</ref>

Beetewk

from Russian bityug, bityuk, which is from Turkic bitük, akin to Chagatai bitü, Uzbek bitäü. A Russian breed of heavy draft horses.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Beetewk</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Bityug</ref>

Beg

from Turkic beg, an alternative form of bey<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Beglerbeg

from Turkish beylerbeyi, a variant of beylerbey<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Beylerbey</ref>

Begum

from Urdu begam, which is from East Turkic begüm<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Behcet

from the name of Turkish scientist Hulusi Behçet, a multisystem, chronic recurrent disease.<ref>Dictionary.com – Behcet</ref>

Bektashi

from Turkish bektaşi<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Bektashi</ref>

Bergamot

from French bergamote, from Italian bergamotta, ultimately from Turkish bey armudu, literally, "the bey's pear"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Bergamot</ref>

Bey

from Turkish bey<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Bey</ref>

Beylerbey

from Turkish beylerbeyi<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Beylerbey</ref>

Beylik

from Turkish beylik<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Ottoman art</ref><ref>Answers.com – Beylik</ref><ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Beylic</ref>

Binbashi

from Turkish binbaşı, "chief of a thousand", bin "thousand" + bash "head". (Mil.) A major in the Turkish army.<ref>Dictionary.com – Binbashi</ref>

Bogatyr

from Russian bogatyr "hero, athlete, warrior", from Old Russian bogatyri, of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish batur "brave"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Bogatyr</ref>

Borek

from Turkish börek, ultimately from root bur-, "twisted"

Borunduk

from Russian burunduk, which is from Mari uromdok or from Turkic burunduk. A Siberian ground squirrel.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Borunduk</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Burunduk</ref><ref>Этимологический Словарь – Piotr Czerwinski → Burunduk Template:Webarchive</ref>

Bosa or boza

from Turkish boza, a fermented drink<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Bosa</ref><ref>"bosa." Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd edition. 1989.</ref>

Bosh

from Turkish boş, which means "nonsense, empty"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Bosh</ref> (Bosh on wiktionary)

Bostanji

from Turkish bostancı, literally "a gardener"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Bostanji</ref>

Bouzouki

from modern Greek mpouzoúki, which is from Turkish bozuk "broken, ruined, depraved" or büzük "constricted, puckered".<ref>Dictionary.com – Bouzouki</ref>

Boyar

from Russian boyarin, from Old Russian boljarin, from Turkic baylar, plural of bay, "rich"; akin to Turkish bay, "rich, gentleman".<ref>The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language – Boyar</ref>

Bridge game

the word came into English from the Russian word, biritch, which in turn originates from a Turkic word for "bugler" (in modern Turkish: borucu, borazancı) or might have come from a Turkish term bir, üç, or "one, three"<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref>

Bugger

from Middle English bougre, "heretic", from Old French boulgre, from Medieval Latin Bulgarus, from Greek Boulgaros, "Bulgarian", probably ultimately from Turkic bulghar, "of mixed origin, promiscuous" or "rebels", from bulgamaq, "to mix, stir, stir up".<ref>The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language – Bugger</ref><ref name="bartleby.com">The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language – Bulgar</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Bulgar

from Bolgar, Bolghar, former kingdom on the Volga river around Kazan (see bugger). A Russia leather originally from Bolgar.<ref name="bartleby.com"/><ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Bulgar</ref>

Bulgur

from Turkish bulgur, which means "pounded wheat"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Bulgur</ref>

Buran

from Russian buran, of Turkic origin, probably from Tatar buran<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Buran</ref>

Burka

from Russian, probably from buryi "dark brown (of a horse)", probably of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish bur "red like a fox"; the Turkic word probably from Persian bor "reddish brown"; akin to Sanskrit babhru "reddish brown".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Burka</ref>

C

File:Wassilij Wassiljewitsch Wereschtschagin 001.jpg

Dervishes wearing calpacks

Cafeneh

from Turkish kahvane, kahvehane "a coffee shop, café", from kahve "coffee" + hane "house"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Cafeneh</ref><ref>Dictionary.com – Cafeneh</ref>

Caïque

from Turkish kayık<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Caique</ref>

Caiquejee

alteration (influenced by caique) of earlier caikjee, from Turkish kayıkçı, "a boatman"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Caiquejee</ref>

Calpack

from Turkish kalpak<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Calpac</ref>

Caracal

from Turkish karakulak, which means "black ear"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Caracal</ref>

Caraco

from French, perhaps from Turkish kerrake "alpaca coat". A woman's short coat or jacket usually about waist length.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Caraco</ref>

Caracul

from Uzbek karakul, an alteration of karakul<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Caracul</ref>

Caragana

from Neo-Latin, of Turkic origin; akin to Kirghiz karaghan "Siberian pea tree".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Caragana</ref>

Caramoussal

from Turkish karamürsel, karamusal, perhaps from kara "black" + mürsel "envoy, apostle"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Caramoussal</ref>

Casaba

from Turkish Kasaba, a small town with 2.000 to 20.000 people in Turkey<ref>Arasindaki Fark - Köy ile Kasaba farkı nedir</ref>

Cassock

from Middle French casaque "long coat", probably ultimately from Turkic quzzak "nomad, adventurer" (the source of Cossack), an allusion to their typical riding coat. Or perhaps from Arabic kazagand, from Persian kazhagand "padded coat".<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref>

Cham

from French, which is from Turkish khan, "lord, prince"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Chekmak

from Turkish, a Turkish fabric of silk and cotton, with gold thread interwoven.<ref>Dictionary.com – Chekmak</ref>

Chelengk

from Ottoman Turkish çelenk, a bird's feather used as a sign of bravery

Chiaus

from Turkish çavuş.<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Chiaus</ref>

Chibouk

from Turkish çubuk.<ref name="Merriam-Webster Online - Chibouk">Merriam-Webster Online – Chibouk</ref>

Choga

from Sindhi, of Turko-Mongol origin; akin to Turkish çuha "cloth". A long-sleeved long-skirted cloak for men worn mainly in India and Pakistan.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Choga</ref>

Chouse

perhaps from Turkish çavuş "a doorkeeper, messenger"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Chouse</ref>

Coffee

from Ottoman Turkish kahve via Italian caffè<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Corsac

from Russian korsak, from Kirghiz karsak, "a small yellowish brown bushy-tailed fox"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Corsac</ref>

Cosaque

from French, literally, "Cossack", from Russian Kazak & Ukrainian kozak, which is from Turkic Kazak. A cracker.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Cosaque</ref>

Cossack

from Turkic quzzaq which means "adventurer, guerilla, nomad"<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref> (Cossack on wiktionary)

D

File:Suleymanname 31b 2.jpg

Registration of boys for the devshirmeh

Desemer

from German, from Low German, alteration of Middle Low German bisemer, besemer, of Baltic origin; akin to Lithuanian bezmnas, of Slavic origin; akin to Old Russian bezmenu "desemer, small weight", Polish bezmian, przezmian "balance without pans", perhaps of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish batman "small weight". An ancient balance.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Desemer</ref>

Devshirmeh

from Turkish devşirme, which means "gathering"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Topic: Devsirme</ref>

Dey

from Turkish dayı, literally "a maternal uncle"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Dey</ref>

Dolma

from Turkish dolma, which means "filled" or "stuffed"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Dolma</ref>

Dolman

ultimately from Turkish dolaman, a robe, from dolamak "to wind"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Dolman</ref><ref>The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language – Dolman Template:Webarchive</ref>

Dolmus, also Dolmush

from Turkish dolmuş, a share taxi<ref>"dolmus." Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd edition. 1989.</ref>

Domra

from Kazakh dombra, a musical instrument<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Domra</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Domra</ref>

Doner kebab

(Canadian: donair) from Turkish döner kebap<ref>The Oxford Essential Dictionary of Foreign Terms in English – Doner kebabTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Wiktionary.org – Doner kebab</ref>

Donmeh

from Turkish dönme, which literally means "a convert"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Donmeh</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Donme</ref>

Donum

from Turkish dönüm, an alternative form of dunam<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Donum</ref><ref>Proz.com – Donum</ref>

Doodle

from German dudeln "to play (the bagpipe)", from dudel "a bagpipe", from Czech or Polish dudy "a bagpipe", from Turkish düdük "a flute".<ref>Antlion Pit – Doodle</ref>

Dunam

from Turkish dönüm, from dönmek "go round"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Dunam</ref><ref>Wiktionary.org – Dunam</ref>

E

Elchee or elchi

from Turkish elçi, which means "an ambassador".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Eleme figs

from Turkish eleme "selected, sifted". Smyrna figs of superior quality packed flat.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Eleme figsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

F

Fez

from Turkish fes

G

Galiongee

from Turkish kalyonçi, kalyoncu, "a Turkish sailor", from kalyon, Italian galeone + çi or cu, the Turkish suffix.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Galiongee</ref>

Ganch

modification of Turkish kancalamak "to put on a hook", from Turkish kanca "large hook", modification of Greek gampsos "curved" + Turkish suffix -lamak.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Ganch</ref>

Giaour

from Turkish gâvur

Gilet

from French, from Spanish gileco, jaleco, chaleco, from Arabic jalikah, "a garment worn by slaves in Algeria", from Turkish yelek "waistcoat, vest"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Gilet</ref>

H

Hajduk

from Ottoman Turkish haydut, "bandit, soldier"

Harambaša

from Turkish haramibaşı, "bandit leader" (from harami, "bandit" + baş, "head")

Haremlik

from Turkish haremlik, from harem (from Arabic harim & Arabic haram) + the Turkish suffix -lik "a place"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Haremlik</ref>

Horde

from Turkic ordu or orda ("khan's residence")<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Horde</ref><ref>Template:OEtymD</ref> (Horde on wiktionary)

Hungary

most directly from Latin, ultimately from Turkic, c.f. Onogur.

I

Imam bayildi

from Turkish imambayıldı, "the imam fainted", an eggplant dish prepared with olive oil.<ref>The Oxford Essential Dictionary of Foreign Terms in English – Imam bayildiTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Imbat

from Turkish imbat, a cooling etesian wind in the Levant (as in Cyprus).<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Imbat</ref>

J

Janissary

from Turkish yeniçeri, which means "a new soldier"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Janissary</ref> (janissary on wiktionary)

Jelick

from Turkish yelek, the bodice or vest of a Turkish woman's dress.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Jelick</ref>

Jettru

from Turkic, a union of seven Turkic peoples of Central Asia formed at the end of the 17th or beginning of the 18th century under one khan.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Jettru</ref>

K

File:Safranbolu traditional house 1.jpg

A konak in Safranbolu, Karabük

Kadi

from Ottoman Turkish kadı, "judge"

Kadiluk

from Ottoman Turkish kadıluk, "jurisdiction"

Kaftan

from Turkish kaftan (also in Persian)<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref>

Kaique

from Turkish kayık, an alternative form of caïque.<ref>Dictionary.com – Kaique</ref>

Kalderimi

from Ottoman Turkish kaldırım, "paved road"

Kalpak

from Turkish kalpak

Kangal

from Turkish kangal or sivas kangal köpeği<ref>PetPlanet.com – Kangal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Karabagh

A type of rug, named after the Karabagh region in the Caucasus.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Karabagh</ref>

Karabash

from Turkish karabaş, literally "a blackhead"<ref>PetPlanet.com – Karabash</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Karadagh

from Azerbaijani Karadagh, a mountain range in Azerbaijan province, northwestern Iran. a Persian rug having a bold design and rich coloring.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Karadagh</ref>

Karagane

from Russian karagan, which is from Turkic karagan. A species of gray fox found in Russia.<ref>Dictionary.com – Karagane</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Karagan</ref>

Karakul

from Uzbek karakul, literally a village in Uzbekistan<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Karakul</ref>

Karakurt

from Russian, of Turkic origin, karakurt, "a venomous spider".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Karakurt</ref>

Kasseri

from New Greek kaseri, from Turkish kaşer, kaşar<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kasseri</ref>

Kavass

from Turkish kavas<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Kavass</ref><ref>Dictionary.com – Kavass</ref>

Kazak

from Kazak, a town in Azerbaijan, an Oriental rug in bold colors with geometric designs or stylized plant and animal forms.<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Kazak</ref>

Kefir

from Russian, probably ultimately from Old Turkic köpür, "milk, froth, foam", from köpürmäk, "to froth, foam".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kelek

from Turkish kelek, a raft or float supported on inflated animal skins.<ref>Dictionary.com – Kelek</ref>

Kendyr

from Russian kendyr, from Turkish kendir. A strong bast fiber that resembles Indian hemp and is used in Asia as cordage and as a substitute for cotton and hemp.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kendyr</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Kendyr</ref>

Ketch

probably from Middle English cacchen "to capture", or perhaps from Turkish kayık "a boat, skiff".<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref><ref>The Concise Dictionary of English Etymology – Ketch</ref>

Khagan

from Turkic kaghan, an alternative form of khan<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Khagan</ref>

Khan

from Turkic khan, akin to Turkish han (title meaning "ruler")<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Khan</ref>

Khanum

from Turkic khanum, akin to Turkish hanım, "a female derivation of Khan"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Khanum</ref>

Khatun

from Turkic khatūn, perhaps from Old Turkic or from Sogdian kwat'yn, "a queen"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Khatun</ref><ref>Highbeam.com – KhatunTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Kibitka

from Russian, of Turkic origin; akin to Kazan Tatar kibit "booth, stall, tent", Uyghur käbit.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kibitka</ref>

Kielbasa

from Polish kiełbasa, from East and West Slavic *kŭlbasa, from East Turkic kül bassï, "grilled cutlet", from Turkic kül bastï : kül, "coals, ashes" + bastï, "pressed (meat)" (from basmaq, to press)<ref>The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language – Kielbasa Template:Webarchive</ref>

Kilij

from Turkish kılıç, a Turkish saber with a crescent-shaped blade.<ref>Dictionary.com – Kilij</ref>

Kiosk

from Turkish köşk, an open summerhouse or pavilion<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Kiosk</ref>

Kipchak

from Russian, which is from Chagatai. 1. One of the ancient Turkic peoples of the Golden Horde related to the Uyghurs and Kyrgyz. 2. The Turkic language of the Kipchaks.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kipchak</ref>

Kis Kilim

from Turkish kızkilim, a kind of carpet.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kis KilimTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Kizilbash

from Turkish kızılbaş, literally "a red head"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Kizilbash</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Kizilbash</ref>

Knish

from Yiddish, from Ukrainian knysh, probably of Turkic origin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kok-saghyz

from Russian kok-sagyz, from Turkic kök-sagız, from kök "root" + sagız "rubber, gum"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kok-saghyz</ref>

Komitadji

from Turkish komitacı, a rebel, member of a secret revolutionary society.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Komitadji</ref>

Konak

from Turkish konak, a large house in Turkey.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Konak</ref>

Krym-saghyz

from Russian krym-sagyz, of Turkic origin, from Krym "Crimea",<ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Krym</ref> + sagız "rubber, gum".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Krym-saghyz</ref>

Kulah

from Turkish Kula, a town in western Turkey. A Turkish rug that is often a prayer rug and that uses the Ghiordes knot.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kulah</ref>

Kulak

from Russian kulak "a fist", of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish kol "arm".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kulak</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Kulak</ref>

Kulan

from Kirghiz kulan, "the wild ass of the Kirghiz steppe".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kulan</ref>

Kumiss

from Turkic kumyz or kumis<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Kumiss</ref> (kumiss on wiktionary)

Kurbash

from Turkish kırbaç<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kurbash</ref><ref>Dictionary.com – Kurbash</ref>

Kurgan

from Russian, of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish kurgan "fortress, castle"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Kurgan</ref>

Kurus

from Turkish kuruş, a Turkish piaster equal to 1/100 lira.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Kurus</ref>

L

Lackey

from French laquais, from Spanish lacayo, ultimately from Turkish ulak, which means "runner" or "courier".<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref>

Ladik

from Turkish Ladik, a village in Turkey. A rug of fine texture woven in and near Ladik in central Anatolia.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Ladik</ref>

Latten

from Middle English latoun, laton, from Middle French laton, leton, from Old Provençal, from Arabic latun, of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish altın "gold"<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Latten</ref>

Lokshen

from Yiddish, plural of loksh "noodle", from Russian dial. loksha, of Turkic origin; akin to Uyghur & Kazan Tatar lakca "noodles", Chuvash läskä.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Lokshen</ref>

M

Mammoth

from Russian mamot, mamont, mamant, perhaps from a Yakut word derived from Yakut mamma "earth"; from the belief that the mammoths burrowed in the earth like moles.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Mammoth</ref>

Martagon

from Middle English, from Old French, from Old Spanish, from Ottoman Turkish martagan, "a kind of turban".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Merdiban

an accounting method used by the Ottoman Empire, Abbasid empire, and the Ilkhanate; from a word meaning "Ladder" or "Staircase".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref>

N

Nagaika

from Russian, of Turkic origin; akin to Kirghiz nogai<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Nagaika</ref>

O

File:Jean-Paul Flandrin - Odalisque with Slave - Walters 37887.jpg

Odalisque with a slave, 1842

Oda

from Turkish oda, literally "a room, chamber". A room in a harem.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Oda</ref>

Odalisque

from French, which is from Turkish odalık, from oda, "a room"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Odalisque</ref>

Oghuz or Ghuz

from Turkic oghuz. A group of Turks from Central Asia.

Osmanli

from Turkish osmanlı, from Osman, founder of the Ottoman Empire + lı "of or pertaining to"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Osmanli</ref>

Ottoman

is a form of couch which usually has a head but no back, though sometimes it has neither. It may have square or semicircular ends, and as a rule it is what upholsterers call "overstuffed” — that is to say no wood is visible. In American English, an ottoman is a piece of furniture consisting of a padded, upholstered ...

Ottoman

from French, adjective & noun, probably from Italian ottomano, from Turkish osmani, from Osman, Othman died 1326, founder of the Ottoman Empire<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Ottoman</ref>

P

Paklava

modification of Turkish baklava<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Paklava</ref>

Parandja

from Uzbek, a heavy black horsehair veil worn by women of Central Asia.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Parandja</ref>

Pasha

from Turkish paşa, earlier basha, from bash "head, chief" which equates to "Sir"<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref><ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Pasha</ref>

Pashalic

from Turkish paşalık, "title or rank of pasha", from paşa: the jurisdiction of a pasha or the territory governed by him<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Pashalic</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – use of Pashalic in an article</ref>

Pastrami

from Yiddish pastrame, from Romanian pastrama, ultimately from Turkish pastırma<ref>DEX Online – Pastrama</ref>

Petcheneg

from Russian pecheneg, which is from Turkic. Member of a Turkic people invading the South Russian, Danubian, and Moldavian steppes during the early Middle Ages.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Petcheneg</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Pechenegi</ref>

Pilaf

from Turkish pilav, and ultimately from Sanskrit pulāka- (पुलाक), "lump of boiled rice"

Pirogi

from Yiddish, from Russian, plural of pirog (pie), perhaps borrowed from Kazan Tatar, (cf. Turk. börek)<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref>

Pul

from Persian pul, which is from Turkish pul. A unit of value of Afghanistan equal to 1/100 Afghani.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Pul</ref>

Q

Qajar or Kajar

from Persian Qajar, of Turkish origin. A people of northern Iran holding political supremacy through the dynasty ruling Persia from 1794 to 1925.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Quiver

from Anglo-French quiveir, from Old French quivre, probably ultimately from the Hunnic language,<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref> kubur in Old Turkic

R

Rumelia

from Turkish Rumeli, "land of Romans"

S

File:Sarma.jpg

Sarma, a kind of dolma, is a classic of Turkish cuisine.

Sabot

from Old French çabot, alteration of savate "old shoe", probably of Turkish or Arabic origin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Saic

from French saïque, from Turkish shaika.<ref>Dictionary.com – Saic</ref>

Saiga

from Russian saĭgá(k), from Turkic; cf. Chagatai sayğak<ref>Dictionary.com – Saiga</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Saker

through Old French from Arabic saqr, probably from Turkic sonqur, which means "a falcon".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Samiel

from Turkish samyeli, sam, "poisonous" + yel, "wind".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Sanjak

from Turkish sancak, which means "a banner"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Sanjak</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Sanjak in Ottoman Bosnia</ref>

Sarma

from Turkish sarma, which means "wrapping"<ref>Answers.com – Sarma</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Sarma in Balkan cuisine</ref>

Saxaul

from Russian saksaul, which is from Kazakh seksevil. A leafless xerophytic shrub or tree of the family Chenopodiaceae of Asia that has green or greenish branches and is used for stabilization of desert soils.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Saxaul</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Saksaul</ref>

Selamlik

from Turkish Selamlık.<ref>Dictionary.com – Selamlik</ref>

Seljuk

from Turkish Selçuk, "eponymous ancestor of the dynasties". Of or relating to any of several Turkic dynasties that ruled over a great part of western Asia in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Seljuk</ref>

Seraskier

from Turkish serasker, from Persian ser "head, chief" + Arabic asker "an army".<ref>Dictionary.com – Seraskier</ref>

Sevdalinka

originally Arabic sawda, via Turkish sevda, "black bile". Genre of Balkan folk-music

Sevruga

through Russian sevryuga ultimately from Tatar söirök.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Shabrack

from French schabraque, from German schabracke, from Hungarian csáprág, from Turkish çaprak<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Shabrack</ref>

Shagreen

from Turkish sağrı, which means "the back of a horse"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Shagreen</ref>

Shaman

from Turkic word šamán.Template:Citation needed

Shashlik

from Russian шашлык, which is from Crimean Tatar şışlık, which means "shish kebab"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Shashlik</ref>

Shawarma

ultimately from Turkish çevirme, which literally means "turning"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Shish

from Turkish şiş, which literally means "a skewer"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Shish</ref><ref>Template:OEtymD</ref>

Shish kebab

from Turkish şiş kebabı<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Shish Kebab</ref>

Shor

from Russian, of Turko-Mongol origin; akin to Kalmyk & Mongolian sor "salt", Turkish sure "brackish soil". A salt lake in Turkestan, a salina.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Shor</ref>

Som

from Kirghiz, "crude iron casting, ruble"<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Som</ref>

Sofa

a long upholstered seat with a back and arms, for two or more people.

Sujuk

a dry, spicy and fermented sausage of Central Asian origin; from Turkic word "Sucuk", which is probably derived from "Suɣutçuk" (itself means dried thing or sujuk)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

T

File:Tughra Suleiman.jpg

Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent

Taiga

from Russian taiga, of Turkic origin; akin to Teleut taiga "rocky, mountainous terrain", Turkish dağ "mountain"; Mongolian origin is also possible.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Taiga</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Taramasalata

from modern Greek taramas "preserved roe", from Turkish tarama "preparation of soft roe or red caviar" + salata "salad".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Taranchi

from Chagatai Taranci, literally "a farmer".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Taranchi</ref>

Tarantass

from Russian tarantas, which is from Kazan Tatar tarıntas.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Tarantass</ref>

Tarbagan

from Russian, which is from Teleut. A rodent

Tarbush

from Arabic tarbūsh, from Ottoman Turkish terposh, probably from Persian sarposh "headdress" (equivalent to sar "head" + pūsh "covering"), by association with Turkish ter "sweat". A tasseled cap of cloth or felt, usually red, that is worn by Muslim men either by itself or as the inner part of the turban.<ref>Dictionary.com – Tarbush</ref>

Tarkhan

from Old Turkic tarkan, a privileged class.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Tarkhan</ref>

Tarpan

from Russian, which is from Kirghiz or Kazakh tarpan.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Tarpan</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Tarpan</ref>

Tartar

from Persian Tatar, of Turkic origin. A ferocious or violent person - Latin, from "Tartarus" - evil, hell.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Tau-saghyz

from Russian tau-sagyz, from Turkic tau-sagız, from tau "mountain" + sagız "gum, rubber".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Tau-saghyz</ref>

Tavla

from Turkish tavla, a version of the board game backgammon.<ref>Wiktionary.org – Tavla</ref>

Tekke

from Turkish tekke, a dervish monastery.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Tekke</ref>

Tenge

from Kazakh teŋge "coin, ruble".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Tenge</ref>

Tepe

from Turkish tepe, literally "a hill, summit". An artificial mound.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Tepe</ref><ref>Dictionary.com – Tepe</ref><ref>Starling.ru Turkic Etymology – Tepö</ref>

Terek

from Terek, river of southeast Russia, which is from Balkar Terk. A sandpiper of the Old World breeding in the far north of eastern Europe and Asia and migrating to southern Africa and Australia and frequenting rivers.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Terek</ref><ref>Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary – Terek</ref>

Theorbo

from Italian tiorba, which is from Turkish torba "a bag".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Theorbo</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Toman

from Persian تومان, which is from Turkic tümen, "a unit of ten thousand".<ref>The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language – Toman Template:Webarchive</ref>

Tovarich

from Russian tovarishch, from Old Russian tovarishch, sing. of tovarishchi, "business associates", which is from Old Turkic tavar ishchi, "businessman, merchant" : tavar, "wealth, trade" + ishchi, "one who works" (from ish, "work, business").<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Tughra

from Turkish tuğra, an elaborate monogram formed of the Sultan's name and titles.<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Online – Ottoman Coins</ref><ref>Al-Damurdashi's Chronicle of Egypt – Tughra</ref>

Tungus

a member of the Tungusic people; from Russian, from East Turkic tunguz, "wild pig, boar", from Old Turkic tonguz.<ref>The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language – Tungus</ref>

Turk

from Turkish türk, which has several meanings in English.<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Turk</ref>

Turki

from Persian turki, from Turk, "Turk", from Turkish Türk.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Turquoise

from Middle English Turkeys, from Anglo-French turkeise, from feminine of turkeis Turkish, from Turc Turkish.<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Turquoise</ref>

Tuzla

from Turkish tuzla, from the name of Lake Tuz in Turkey. A central Anatolian rug.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Tuzla</ref>

Tzatziki

from modern Greek tsatsiki, which is from Turkish cacık.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

U

File:Ułani Księstwa Warszawskiego.JPG

Polish uhlans

Ugrian

from Old Russian Ugre, which means "Hungarians", of Turkic origin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Uhlan

from Turkish oğlan "a boy, servant".<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Uhlan</ref>

Urdu

from Hindustani Urdu "camp", which is from Turkic ordu (source of horde).<ref>Template:OEtymD</ref>

Urman

from Russian, which is from Kazan Tatar urman, "a forest", synonymous with taiga;<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Urman</ref> Turkish word orman.

Ushak

from Ushak, Turkish Uşak, manufacturing town of western Turkey. A heavy woolen oriental rug tied in Ghiordes knots and characterized by bright primary colors and an elaborate medallion pattern.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Ushak</ref>

Y

File:Cacik-1.jpg

Cacık, a Turkish cold soup yogurt variety

Yardang

from Turkic yardang, ablative of yar "steep bank, precipice".<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Yardang</ref><ref>Dictionary.com – Yardang</ref>

Yarmulka

of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish yağmurluk which means "rainwear".<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Yarmulke</ref>

Yashmak or yashmac

from Turkish yaşmak.<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Yashmak</ref>

Yataghan

from Turkish yatağan.<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Yataghan</ref>

Yogurt

from Turkish yoğurt.<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Yogurt</ref> (yogurt on wiktionary)

Yurt

from Turkic yurt, which means "a dwelling place".<ref>Merriam-Webster Online – Yurt</ref>

Yuruk

from Turkish yürük, "a nomad". 1. One of a nomadic shepherd people of the mountains of southeastern Anatolia. 2. A Turkish rug from the Konya and Karaman regions, southeastern Anatolia.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Yuruk</ref>

Z

Zill

from Turkish zil "bell, cymbals", of onomatopoeic origin.<ref>Merriam-Webster Unabridged – Zill</ref><ref>Dictionary.com – Zill</ref>

See also

• Lists of English words of international origin

External links

• Encyclopædia Britannica Concise – Turkic languages
• Ask Oxford – Borrowings into English
• Association of British Scrabble Players – Turkish words