Quranic root
غنم
gh · n · m
The root centers on acquiring something not previously possessed, with a prominent specialization in spoil taken from an adversary.
The semantic field extends from general attainment to war booty and to derived notions of taking, granting, and seizing an opportunity. غَنَمٌ denotes sheep and goats; its possible derivation from the acquisition sense is reported cautiously rather than asserted as certain.
- Maqāyīs · row 3471
- Lane · entry 30023
- Lane · entry 30029
- 3
- 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.
غَنِمَ
ghanima
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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 obtain or take as spoil; to gain something acquired from an opposing party.
The Quranic occurrences are active perfect forms referring to war booty obtained from unbelievers.
- Lane · entry 30023
- Mufradāt · row 1071
Selected Quran examples
Quran 8:41word 3
“you obtain (as) spoils of war”
Quran 8:69word 3
“you got as war booty”
غَنَمٌ
ghanamun
- Part of speech
- Noun · Collective noun
- Quran occurrences
- 3 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.
A collective term for sheep and goats; sheep or goats considered as a flock or herd.
The collective noun applies to males, females, or both together and has no derived singular; شاة is used for an individual.
- Lane · entry 30029
- Mufradāt · row 1071
Selected Quran examples
مَغْنَمٌ
maghnamun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
An acquired gain or benefit; something obtained.
This is a result noun for what is gained; its Quranic plural is مَغَانِمُ.
- Mufradāt · row 1071
- Lane · entry 30031
Spoils or booty obtained in war.
In the Quranic contexts, the plural denotes material property acquired from an opposing party. In the associated legal terminology, war booty is distinguished from فَيْءٌ acquired without battle and نَفَلٌ granted in addition to a normal share.
- Lane · entry 30031
- Mufradāt · row 1071
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:94word 24
“(are) booties”
Quran 48:19word 1
“And spoils of war”
Quran 48:20word 3
“spoils of war”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 4:94مَغَانِمُ(are) booties
- 6:146وَٱلْغَنَمِand the sheep
- 8:41غَنِمْتُمyou obtain (as) spoils of war
- 8:69غَنِمْتُمْyou got as war booty
- 20:18غَنَمِىmy sheep
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 16 Classical meanings
غَنِمَ
To acquire or gain a thing without difficulty, trouble, or inconvenience.
A broader Classical Arabic use of the Form I verb, distinct from its Quranic war-spoils context.
- Lane · entry 30023
غَنَّمَ
To give someone spoil or a free, disinterested gift.
Form II is used transitively with the recipient and the thing given.
- Lane · entry 30024
أَغْنَمَ
To make a thing become spoil for someone.
A causative Form IV construction with the thing made available as spoil.
- Lane · entry 30025
تَغَنَّمَ
To eagerly desire an affair as one eagerly desires spoil.
Used in the construction يَتَغَنَّمُ الأَمْرَ, expressing eager desire for an undertaking.
- Lane · entry 30026
تَغَنَّمَ
To take for oneself, acquire, or gain sheep or goats.
Used with غَنَمًا for acquiring sheep, goats, or both.
- Lane · entry 30026
اِغْتَنَمَ
To reckon something as spoil, or to take, seize, catch, or snatch it as spoil.
Form VIII may describe treating an object as spoil or actively taking it as spoil.
- Lane · entry 30027
اِغْتَنَمَ
To seize or avail oneself of an opportunity.
In اِغْتَنَمَ الفُرْصَةَ, the opportunity is taken promptly or eagerly.
- Lane · entry 30027
غُنْمٌ
The recovery of a pledged property together with any increase, growth, or excess in its value.
A legal usage paired with غُرْمٌ, the liability associated with the pledged property.
- Lane · entry 30028
غُنْمٌ
The reported name of a certain idol.
A rare proper-name usage attributed to one authority.
- Lane · entry 30028
غَنِيمَةٌ
An acquisition or gain made without difficulty, trouble, or inconvenience.
This is a Classical nominal use distinct from the technical war-booty sense.
- Lane · entry 30031
غَنِيمَةٌ
In legal terminology, property seized by force in war, subject to a prescribed fifth, with the remainder distributed among those who obtained it.
The term is distinguished from فَيْءٌ, property acquired after the laying down of arms or without battle, and from نَفَلٌ, an additional grant to a warrior.
- Lane · entry 30031
غَنَمٌ
In the expression غَنَمُ الفِزْرِ, ever or indefinitely.
This idiomatic expression functions as an adverbial expression of time rather than as an ordinary livestock noun.
- Lane · entry 30029
الأَغْنَامُ
The name of certain small stars between the legs of Cepheus and the star الجَدْيُ.
A technical astronomical usage.
- Lane · entry 30029
غُنَامَاكَ
One’s utmost capacity, ability, or aim; the utmost one can or eagerly seeks to do.
In غُنَامَاكَ أَنْ تَفْعَلَ كَذَا, the expression presents doing the stated action as the utmost of one’s power or desire.
- Lane · entry 30033
غَانِمٌ
Taking or a taker of spoil.
An active participial noun for one who takes غَنِيمَة.
- Lane · entry 30035
غَنَمٌ مُغْنَمَةٌ / غَنَمٌ مُغَنَّمَةٌ
Sheep or goats gathered together, numerous, or collected into a herd.
One reported explanation further specifies distinct flocks or herds, each with its own shepherd.
- Lane · entry 30037
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The QAC verb identity غَنِمْ is normalized to the Classical Arabic perfect citation form غَنِمَ.
The Quranic plural مَغَانِمُ is presented under the supported singular citation form مَغْنَمٌ.