Quranic root
عزم
ʿ · z · m
A root centered on decisive resolve: fixing an affair firmly in the mind and cutting off hesitation.
The semantic range develops from decisive settlement or severance to resolving and carrying out an affair, steadfastly pursuing a course, and related notions of endurance, earnest command, and conjuring.
- Maqāyīs · row 3198
- Mufradāt · row 973
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 4
- Quran senses
- 9
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
عَزَمَ
ʿazama
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 4 occurrences
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 resolve, decide, or determine firmly to carry out an affair.
Used with عَلَى or عَلَيْهِ and also with a direct object. With an affair as subject, the related construction expresses that the affair has become settled or serious; that construction is listed separately.
- Lane · entry 3117
- Mufradāt · row 973
Selected Quran examples
Of an affair, to become determined or settled; to become serious or earnest.
A conventional intransitive construction, عَزَمَ الأَمْرُ, in which the affair itself is presented as determined or serious.
- Lane · entry 3117
Selected Quran examples
Quran 47:21word 5
“(is) determined”
عَزْمٌ
ʿazmun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 5 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Firm resolve or determination to carry out an affair; a fixed purpose of the mind.
Occurs in expressions such as عَزْمِ الأُمُورِ, “matters requiring firm resolve,” and may denote maintaining what has been commanded while intending to perform it.
- Lane · entry 3120
- Lane · entry 3129
- Mufradāt · row 973
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:186word 23
“the matters”
Quran 20:115word 11
“determination”
Steadfastness, constancy, and patience in carrying out an obligation or enduring a matter.
Especially associated with أُولُو العَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ, the messengers marked by resoluteness, constancy, and patience.
- Lane · entry 3120
- Mufradāt · row 973
Selected Quran examples
Quran 46:35word 5
“those of determination”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:227عَزَمُوا۟they resolve
- 2:235تَعْزِمُوا۟resolve (on)
- 3:159عَزَمْتَyou have decided
- 3:186عَزْمِthe matters
- 20:115عَزْمًۭاdetermination
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 27 Classical meanings
عَزَمَ
To strive, labor, toil, or exert one's efforts in an affair.
- Lane · entry 3117
عَزَمَ
To conjure or earnestly command or enjoin someone to do something.
The construction عَزَمَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ takes the person addressed as its object and conveys an earnest demand with no exception.
- Lane · entry 3117
عَزَمَ
To recite charms or spells, as a charmer does.
Used of a charmer or serpent-charmer reciting charms for a disease or to draw out a serpent.
- Lane · entry 3117
عَزَمَ
To invite someone to an entertainment.
A later usage reported as current in Lane’s description.
- Lane · entry 3117
عَزَمَ
To go or tend toward a place.
Reported as probably post-classical usage.
- Lane · entry 3117
اِعْتَزَمَ
To keep to a course, especially to go along a road without turning aside.
- Lane · entry 3119
اِعْتَزَمَ
To tend, betake oneself, or repair to someone or something, directly or indirectly.
- Lane · entry 3119
اِعْتَزَمَ
Of a horse, to run forcefully, overcoming its rider’s attempts to check or turn it.
Used of a horse that continues its run without complying with the rider’s effort to restrain it.
- Lane · entry 3119
اِعْتَزَمَ
To bear or endure something or someone patiently.
- Lane · entry 3119
عَزْمٌ
The dregs of pressed raisins.
The plural is reported as عُزُمٌ.
- Lane · entry 3120
أُمُّ العِزْمِ
A vulgar expression for the anus.
- Lane · entry 3121
عَزْمَةٌ
Striving, labor, toil, or strength in an affair.
- Lane · entry 3122
عَزْمَةٌ
Determination, a deliberate way of proceeding, or steadfastness and patience in what one undertakes.
Used of a person’s ability to remain constant and steady in an affair once undertaken.
- Lane · entry 3122
عَزْمَةٌ
An obligatory due or statute imposed by God.
The expression عَزْمَةٌ مِنْ عَزَمَاتِ الله denotes a divinely imposed obligation.
- Lane · entry 3122
عُزْمَةٌ
A man’s near paternal kin or tribe.
The plural is reported as عُزَمٌ.
- Lane · entry 3123
عَزْمِيٌّ
A man who fulfills his promises.
Applied to one who performs what he promises.
- Lane · entry 3126
عَزْمِيٌّ
A seller of the dregs of pressed raisins.
- Lane · entry 3126
عَزُومٌ
A resolute person who perseveres in determination until attaining what he seeks.
- Lane · entry 3127
عَزِيمٌ
Vehement or forceful running.
- Lane · entry 3128
عَزِيمَةٌ
An obligatory statute or ordinance of God.
The plural عَزَائِمُ الله denotes God’s obligatory ordinances.
- Lane · entry 3129
عَزِيمَةٌ
A charm or spell; also, a Quranic passage recited over an afflicted person in hope of healing.
The plural عَزَائِمُ may denote charms recited to conjure jinn or spirits, and عَزَائِمُ القُرْآنِ denotes Quranic verses used in such recitation.
- Lane · entry 3129
عَزِيمَةٌ
A designated Quranic passage of prostration.
In the plural expression عَزَائِمُ السُّجُودِ, it refers to portions of the Quran in whose recitation prostration is commanded.
- Lane · entry 3129
العَزَّامُ
The lion.
- Lane · entry 3130
عَازِمٌ
A resolute person, especially one steadfast or true in love or affection.
The related plural may also be applied to affairs characterized by firm determination and fulfillment of what God has enjoined.
- Lane · entry 3131
عَوْزَمٌ
An extremely old she-camel, sometimes retaining some youthful vigor.
The term is also applied in an extended use to an old woman.
- Lane · entry 3132
عَوْزَمٌ
Short, as an epithet applied to a woman.
- Lane · entry 3132
مُعَزِّمٌ
A charmer who uses spells.
- Lane · entry 3133
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
Lane’s Quran citations use historical citation conventions; the Quran examples here use only locations independently supplied by QAC.