Quranic root
غرم
gh · r · m
A root oriented toward persistent attachment, insistence, and the pressure of an obligation.
From the idea of clinging or pressing upon someone, the root develops into creditor–debtor relations, financial liabilities and losses, and punishment or affliction that remains attached. This root-level development does not make every derivative a direct synonym of every other derivative.
- Maqāyīs · row 3403
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 5
- Quran senses
- 6
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
غَارِمٌ
ghārimun
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- 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.
A person burdened by debt or a financial obligation.
In the Quranic category al-ghārimīn, the term denotes indebted persons rather than the debt or liability itself.
- Mufradāt · row 1047
Selected Quran examples
Quran 9:60word 11
“and for those in debt”
غَرَامٌ
gharāmun
- 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.
An affliction, punishment, or perdition that clings persistently and is not escaped.
In the Quranic expression at 25:65, the word describes an abiding torment or calamity; the attested interpretations include persistent evil, hardship, severe punishment, and perdition.
- Lane · entry 29186
- Mufradāt · row 1047
Selected Quran examples
Quran 25:65word 11
“inseparable”
مُغْرَمٌ
mughramun
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- 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.
Burdened with debt or made to incur a financial loss.
The passive participle presents a person as subjected to a financial burden, whether rendered as laden with debt or as having been made to suffer loss.
- Lane · entry 29191
- Mufradāt · row 1047
Selected Quran examples
Quran 56:66word 2
“surely are laden with debt”
مَغْرَمٌ
maghramun
- Part of speech
- 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 financial loss, damage, or detriment borne in property without wrongdoing.
In the Quranic use at 9:98, the word denotes expenditure or a financial outlay regarded as a loss.
- Lane · entry 29184
- Mufradāt · row 1047
Selected Quran examples
Quran 9:98word 7
“(as) a loss”
A debt or financial obligation that must be paid or borne.
In the Quranic uses at 52:40 and 68:46, the word denotes an incurred financial burden or liability, including an obligation imposed or undertaken rather than freely chosen.
- Lane · entry 29179
- Lane · entry 29184
- Mufradāt · row 1047
Selected Quran examples
Quran 52:40word 6
“a debt”
Quran 68:46word 6
“(the) debt”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 9:60وَٱلْغَـٰرِمِينَand for those in debt
- 9:98مَغْرَمًۭا(as) a loss
- 25:65غَرَامًاinseparable
- 52:40مَّغْرَمٍۢa debt
- 56:66لَمُغْرَمُونَsurely are laden with debt
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 17 Classical meanings
غَرِمَ
To pay or discharge an obligatory payment, bloodwit, responsibility, or similar liability; also, to take responsibility for paying it.
The liability may already be incumbent on the person or, in some usages, may be one that he undertakes himself.
- Lane · entry 29179
غَرِمَ
To suffer a loss in trade.
A commercial usage contrasted with gaining profit.
- Lane · entry 29179
أَغْرَمَ
To make someone pay or discharge a due payment, or to make someone incur a debt, fine, or other obligation.
A causative construction governing the person made liable.
- Lane · entry 29181
غَرَّمَ
Of clouds, to discharge rain or water.
A figurative or tropical usage describing clouds as made to discharge what they hold.
- Lane · entry 29180
أَغْرَمَ
To throw someone into destruction.
- Lane · entry 29181
أَغْرَمَ
To render someone eagerly desirous, fond of, or attached to a thing.
The construction may be followed by بِـ to mark the object of attachment.
- Lane · entry 29181
تَغَرَّمَ
To take upon oneself an obligation, such as payment of a fine.
A reflexive construction describing voluntary assumption of financial liability.
- Lane · entry 29182
اِغْتِرَامٌ
The self-imposition of a financial burden, difficulty, damage, or loss, including giving property against one's will.
The verbal noun focuses on assuming what is termed غرامة or otherwise becoming subject to its hardship.
- Lane · entry 29183
غُرْمٌ
A fine or mulct.
A broader Classical Arabic application of the payment or liability branch.
- Lane · entry 29184
غَرْمَى
A woman who is heavy or sluggish.
- Lane · entry 29185
غَرْمَى
A woman who is angry, estranged, or has broken off relations with someone.
An alternative lexical interpretation of the same headword.
- Lane · entry 29185
غَرْمَى
An oath word meaning verily, surely, or now indeed.
Used in an oath expression such as غَرْمَى وَجَدِّكَ.
- Lane · entry 29185
غَرَامٌ
Eager desire, fondness, or attachment, especially love that torments the heart.
This is the desire or attachment branch, distinct from the Quranic sense of persistent punishment.
- Lane · entry 29186
غَرِيمٌ
A debtor, one who is obliged to pay a debt, bloodwit, or similar liability.
- Lane · entry 29187
غَرِيمٌ
A creditor, one to whom a debt is owed.
This is an established opposite use of the same relational noun.
- Lane · entry 29187
غَرِيمٌ
An adversary, antagonist, or litigant in a dispute.
The sense develops from the creditor's pressing or clinging to the debtor.
- Lane · entry 29187
مُغْرَمٌ
A captive of love, or one to whom love clings; eagerly desirous of or attached to a thing.
The expression may describe attachment to women or persistent fondness for an object.
- Lane · entry 29191
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The related noun غَرِيمٌ is used in Classical Arabic for both debtor and creditor. The Quranic غَارِمِينَ entry is presented in the indebted sense supported by the Quran-focused discussion; the creditor sense is kept separately as Classical Arabic evidence.