The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

4.8

SAVE 10% TODAY

Limited Time Offer!

✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

✔ 632 pages, 147 lessons, 428 practical activities.

✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.

Buy on Amazon

Amazon Best Seller:

#1 Spelling & Vocabulary.

#1 Education TOEFL & TOEIC.

#1 Slang & Idiom Reference Books.

Transform Your Vocabulary!

harem

noun

/ˈheərəm/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of harem

A group of women who are confined to a private living space and are typically associated with a male ruler or wealthy individual.
"The prince's harem was the subject of much gossip and intrigue among the royal court."

Detailed meaning of harem

The term originally referred to the living quarters of the wives and concubines of Muslim rulers and officials in the Ottoman Empire, but has since been used more broadly to refer to any group of women who are kept in a restricted or secluded space. Harems are often associated with the idea of male privilege and female subservience, and have been criticized as oppressive and demeaning to women. In popular culture, the harem is often portrayed as a place of exoticism and sexual intrigue, and has been a recurring theme in literature, art, and film. Overall, the term "harem" conveys a sense of exoticism, wealth, and power, but also carries connotations of gender inequality and subjugation.

Example sentences containing harem

1. The sultan's harem was rumored to be filled with the most beautiful and talented women in the empire.
2. The historical novel depicted the struggles and intrigues within the harem of a powerful ruler.
3. The tourist visited the palace's harem, marveling at the opulent furnishings and decorations.
4. The feminist scholar criticized the idea of the harem as a symbol of patriarchal domination.
5. The musician wrote a song about a harem girl who longed for freedom and independence.
6. The movie depicted the escape of a young woman from a harem, highlighting the oppression of women in that setting.

History and etymology of harem

The noun 'harem' has its origins in the Arabic word 'ḥarīm,' which means 'forbidden' or 'sacred.' In the context of its historical usage, a 'harem' referred to a private living space reserved for the women of a household in many Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. These women were often the wives, concubines, or female relatives of a male ruler or wealthy individual. The term 'harem' evolved to signify the sacred or private area where these women resided, inaccessible to outsiders. Over time, the word came to be associated with the group of women themselves who lived within this secluded space. The etymology of 'harem' reflects the cultural and societal norms that surrounded the concept of privacy, sanctity, and the roles of women in historical contexts where such arrangements were prevalent.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the noun harem:

answer1

answer2

answer3

answer4

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

Further usage examples of harem

1. The artist painted a series of portraits of the women in the sultan's harem, depicting them as both alluring and trapped.
2. The explorer wrote a travelogue about his adventures in the Middle East, including his encounters with the harems of wealthy merchants.
3. The anthropologist studied the role of harems in different cultures throughout history, exploring their social and political significance.
4. The journalist wrote an exposé on the mistreatment of women in modern-day harems, shedding light on a hidden form of exploitation.
5. The dancer performed a sensual dance inspired by the movements of women in a harem, exploring themes of desire and power.
6. The sultan's harem was a place of intrigue and luxury.
7. The harem lived in opulent seclusion within the palace.
8. In history, harems were symbols of power and privilege.
9. She aspired to escape the confines of the harem.
10. The ruler's harem was renowned for its beauty.
11. Harems often had their own rules and hierarchies.
12. Life in the harem was a mystery to outsiders.
13. The harem's existence was shrouded in secrecy.
14. The women in the harem led sheltered lives.
15. The harem's allure fascinated many storytellers.
16. Intrigue thrived within the walls of the harem.
17. The harem was a symbol of the ruler's status.
18. The prince visited the harem with great discretion.
19. She yearned to break free from the palace's harem.
20. The harem was a world unto itself.
21. The harem was a place of hidden desires.
22. Eunuchs often guarded the entrance to the harem.
23. The sultan's harem was a subject of gossip.
24. The harem's occupants lived in luxurious seclusion.
25. Many tales revolve around life in the harem.