Quranic root
عبث
ʿ · b · th
The root centers on mixing or combining; figuratively, activity mixed with purposeless play becomes futile.
The physical sense of mixing foods, curd, or groups extends to actions performed without sound purpose, benefit, or orderly intent. The Quran uses this latter development for both futile activity and purposeless creation.
- Maqāyīs · row 3114
- Mufradāt · row 935
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 2
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
عَبِثَ
ʿabitha
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To play or sport in a futile way; to mix purposeless amusement into one's activity and perform actions without beneficial purpose.
In the Quranic use, the imperfect describes people undertaking conspicuous building or related activity as idle amusement rather than for a sound purpose.
- Lane · entry 1818
- Mufradāt · row 935
Selected Quran examples
Quran 26:128word 5
“amusing yourselves”
عَبَثٌ
ʿabathun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Futile play or activity lacking a sound purpose or benefit; purposelessness.
In the expression خلقناكم عبثًا, the noun is used adverbially to deny that creation was purposeless or without a wise aim.
- Lane · entry 1821
- Mufradāt · row 935
Selected Quran examples
Quran 23:115word 4
“uselessly”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 2 occurrencesBroader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 12 Classical meanings
عَبَثَ
To mix or mingle something; in preparing curd, to combine its moist and dry portions and to dry or blend it, including with clarified butter.
A transitive use, also applied to the preparation called عَبِيثَةٌ.
- Lane · entry 1818
عَبِثَ
To make sport of or toy with someone.
An idiomatic tropical construction in which time or fortune is said to make sport with a person.
- Lane · entry 1818
عَبِثَ
To move the hands or arms in sleep as though pushing away, taking, giving, or receiving.
A traditional idiomatic usage describing restless or expressive movement during sleep.
- Lane · entry 1818
عَبْثَةٌ
A single act of futile play or sport.
A count noun for one occurrence of عبث.
- Lane · entry 1822
عَبِيثٌ
In a dialect, the liquid or whey that flows from curd when it is cooked.
A dialectal nominal meaning, equated with مَصْلٌ.
- Lane · entry 1823
عَبِيثٌ
A certain sweet-smelling plant.
A separate nominal use of the same written form.
- Lane · entry 1823
عَبِيثَةٌ
A prepared mixture of foods, including processed curd, curd or meal mixed with clarified butter, food combining grains or other ingredients, and cooked food containing locusts.
The sources give several recipe and regional descriptions rather than one fixed preparation; the common feature is a mixed food.
- Lane · entry 1824
- Mufradāt · row 935
عَبِيثَةٌ
A mixed flock or herd of sheep or goats formed when one group joins and becomes intermingled with another.
Used of animals that have entered among others and become one mixed group.
- Lane · entry 1824
عَبِيثَةُ النَّاسِ
A mixed assemblage of people from different ancestral groups and places.
A collective expression for people not descended from one ancestor and gathered from various locations.
- Lane · entry 1824
عَبِيثَةٌ
A person whose ancestry is mixed and vitiated.
A figurative use describing mixed or corrupted lineage.
- Lane · entry 1824
عِبِّيثٌ
One who plays or sports frequently or excessively.
An intensive personal noun or adjective formed from the play-and-sport branch.
- Lane · entry 1825
عَوْبَثَانِيٌّ
A mixed food of flour, clarified butter, dates, and fresh milk.
A lexical food term describing the named mixture, with related descriptions involving meal or parched grain.
- Lane · entry 1827
- Mufradāt · row 935
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic verb is normalized to the perfect citation form عَبِثَ from the supplied imperfect تَعْبَثُ. Lane also records a distinct mixing use under عَبَثَ, which is kept separate from the Quranic play-and-futility branch.