Quranic root
كبر
k · b · r
A root oriented toward becoming or being great rather than small, whether in physical size, age, rank, importance, severity, or perceived superiority.
The lexical field extends from physical magnitude and growth to age, eminence, consequence, and the evaluation of an affair as difficult or grave. It also develops into magnification, divine majesty, and—when claimed improperly—self-exaltation and arrogance.
- Maqāyīs · row 3918
- Mufradāt · row 1232
- 18
- Quran-attested forms
- 26
- Quran senses
- 161
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
- كَبُرَVerb · Form I I · 8
- كَبَّرَVerb · Form II II · 4
- أَكْبَرَVerb · Form IV IV · 1
- تَكَبَّرَVerb · Form V V · 2
- اِسْتَكْبَرَVerb · Form X X · 40
- أَكْبَرAdjective / noun · 24
- كَبِيرAdjective / noun · 40
- كَبِيرَةNoun · 7
- كِبَرNoun · 6
- كِبْرNoun · 2
- كِبْرِيَاءNoun · 2
- كُبَرَاءNoun · 1
- كُبْرَىٰAdjective / noun · 7
- كُبَّارAdjective · 1
- مُسْتَكْبِرActive participle · 6
- مُتَكَبِّرActive participle / adjective · 7
- تَكْبِيرVerbal noun · 1
- اِسْتِكْبَارVerbal noun · 2
كَبُرَ
kabura
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 8 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 become great, large, or significant; to grow up or attain maturity.
Used of physical or recognized greatness and, in Quranic contexts, of growing up or becoming momentous.
- Lane · entry 27789
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:6word 19
“they will grow up”
To be difficult, severe, grievous, or burdensome.
Frequently occurs with عَلَيْهِ, describing an affair or message as difficult or distressing to someone; it can also characterize a grave or momentous statement or matter.
- Lane · entry 27789
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 6:35word 3
“difficult”
Quran 18:5word 8
“Grave (is)”
كَبَّرَ
kabbara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- 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 make great; to magnify or honor.
In Quranic worship language, it denotes magnifying God, declaring His greatness, and expressing that greatness in devotion.
- Lane · entry 27790
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:111word 20
“And magnify Him”
Quran 22:37word 14
“so that you may magnify”
أَكْبَرَ
ʾakbara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- 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 regard something as great; to be greatly impressed by it.
The Quranic use describes a strong reaction of admiration or astonishment upon seeing someone or something.
- Lane · entry 27792
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 12:31word 19
“they greatly admired him”
تَكَبَّرَ
takabbara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form V
- Form
- V
- 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 exalt oneself arrogantly; to regard oneself as superior and act disdainfully.
In the Quran, the form denotes blameworthy self-exaltation, including holding oneself above submission or refusing what one ought to accept; بِـ or فِي constructions specify the sphere of the arrogance.
- Lane · entry 27793
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:13word 8
“you be arrogant”
Quran 7:146word 5
“are arrogant”
اِسْتَكْبَرَ
āistakbara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form X
- Form
- X
- Quran occurrences
- 40 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 act arrogantly, claim superiority, or refuse submission and acceptance of truth.
The Quranic use is consistently blameworthy: it may describe arrogant conduct generally, arrogance toward a command or sign, or refusal to submit, with عَنْ marking disdainful rejection and فِي marking the sphere in which superiority is claimed.
- Lane · entry 27793
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:34word 10
“and was arrogant”
Quran 7:206word 6
“(do) they turn away in pride”
Quran 38:74word 3
“he was arrogant”
أَكْبَر
ʾakbar
- Part of speech
- Adjective / noun
- Quran occurrences
- 24 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.
Greater or greatest in size, importance, rank, age, or comparative standing.
Used in comparative and superlative constructions, including الْحَجِّ الْأَكْبَرِ and اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ; in the latter, the expression conveys that God is greater than every other being or thing, or the Greatest absolutely.
- Lane · entry 27814
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
كَبِير
kabīr
- Part of speech
- Adjective / noun
- Quran occurrences
- 40 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.
Great or large in magnitude, importance, rank, or dignity; incomparably great.
The same adjective may describe physical or abstract greatness, eminence, or consequence; as a divine epithet it denotes incomparable greatness.
- Lane · entry 27809
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 11:11word 10
“great”
Advanced in age, old, or full-grown.
Used of a person or other living being that has reached advanced age, full growth, adolescence, or puberty.
- Lane · entry 27809
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 12:80word 7
“the eldest among them”
A chief, leader, master, teacher, or senior figure.
This substantivized use denotes the recognized head or leading member of a group, including a teacher or the most learned person.
- Lane · entry 27809
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 20:71word 9
“(is) your chief”
Grave, difficult, severe, or burdensome.
When used substantivally or adjectivally of an affair, sin, statement, or consequence, it marks serious magnitude or difficulty rather than mere physical size.
- Lane · entry 27809
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:217word 10
“(is) a great (sin)”
كَبِيرَة
kabīrah
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 7 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 grave or major sin, crime, or offense.
The plural كَبَائِرُ denotes sins of great magnitude or punishment, such as those conventionally contrasted with lesser offenses.
- Lane · entry 27810
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:31word 3
“great (sins)”
Quran 18:49word 17
“a great”
A difficult, burdensome, or severe matter.
The feminine form may function substantivally, with the quality of difficulty or gravity predominating over the ordinary adjectival sense.
- Lane · entry 27810
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:45word 5
“(is) surely difficult”
كِبَر
kibar
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 6 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.
Old age or advanced age.
Used for the condition of having grown old, especially when age imposes a circumstance or limitation.
- Lane · entry 27789
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:23word 12
“the old age”
Quran 14:39word 7
“the old age”
كِبْر
kibr
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
Pride, self-conceit, or haughty greatness.
The Quranic use concerns an inward or displayed sense of superiority and self-exaltation, not neutral physical size.
- Lane · entry 27797
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 40:56word 14
“greatness”
The main, greater, or predominant part of an affair.
In the construction وَالَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ, it denotes undertaking or taking upon oneself the principal share of a matter.
- Lane · entry 27797
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 24:11word 24
“took upon himself a greater share of it”
كِبْرِيَاء
kibriyāʾ
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
Divine greatness, majesty, and sovereign elevation.
This is greatness and authority that properly belong to God and express exemption from submission to created beings.
- Lane · entry 27797
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 45:37word 2
“(is) the greatness”
Claimed earthly supremacy, dominion, or proud elevation.
When attributed to human rulers or opponents of revelation, it denotes an improper claim to greatness or authority over others.
- Lane · entry 27797
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:78word 10
“the greatness”
كُبَرَاء
kubarāʾ
- 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.
Chiefs, leading men, or grandees.
A plural noun for people distinguished by rank, influence, seniority, or recognized leadership.
- Lane · entry 27809
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 33:67word 6
“and our great men”
كُبْرَىٰ
kubrāā
- Part of speech
- Adjective / noun
- Quran occurrences
- 7 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.
Greater, greatest, or most momentous.
The feminine superlative is used of a sign, event, trial, or calamity distinguished as the greatest or most severe in its comparison.
- Lane · entry 27814
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
كُبَّار
kubbār
- Part of speech
- Adjective
- 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.
Very great or enormous.
An intensive adjective stronger than كَبِير, marking exceptional magnitude or consequence.
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 71:22word 3
“great”
مُسْتَكْبِر
mustakbir
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 6 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.
One who acts arrogantly, claims superiority, or refuses submission.
The active participle characterizes a persistent disposition or person marked by the blameworthy conduct expressed by اِسْتَكْبَرَ.
- Lane · entry 27793
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 16:22word 11
“(are) arrogant”
Quran 23:67word 1
“(Being) arrogant”
مُتَكَبِّر
mutakabbir
- Part of speech
- Active participle / adjective
- Quran occurrences
- 7 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 arrogant or self-exalting person.
Applied to people who affect superiority, boast of qualities they do not possess, or refuse what they ought to accept.
- Lane · entry 27793
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 16:29word 8
“(of) the arrogant”
Quran 40:27word 9
“arrogant one”
The One whose greatness, majesty, and excellence surpass all created beings.
As a divine epithet, the form denotes genuine and absolute greatness, not affected human arrogance.
- Lane · entry 27820
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 59:23word 15
“the Supreme”
تَكْبِير
takbīr
- Part of speech
- Verbal 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.
Magnification or the declaring of greatness, especially the glorification of God.
The verbal noun can denote magnifying generally and, in worship language, expressing God's greatness and cultivating awareness of it.
- Lane · entry 27790
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:111word 21
“(with all) magnificence”
اِسْتِكْبَار
āistikbār
- Part of speech
- Verbal noun
- 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.
Arrogant self-exaltation and refusal of submission.
In the Quran, the verbal noun describes persistent or deliberate pride that leads to rejection, obstinacy, or refusal to accept truth.
- Lane · entry 27793
- Mufradāt · row 1232
Selected Quran examples
Quran 35:43word 1
“(Due to) arrogance”
Quran 71:7word 14
“(with) pride”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:34وَٱسْتَكْبَرَand was arrogant
- 2:45لَكَبِيرَةٌ(is) surely difficult
- 2:87ٱسْتَكْبَرْتُمْyou acted arrogantly
- 2:143لَكَبِيرَةًcertainly a great (test)
- 2:185وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟and that you magnify
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 15 Classical meanings
كَبِرَ
To become full-grown, old, or advanced in age; to reach adolescence or puberty.
This is the vocalized verb كَبِرَ, distinct from the Quranic Form I citation كَبُرَ.
- Lane · entry 27789
كَبَرَ
To exceed another in age.
Used transitively in expressions stating that one person is older than another by a specified number of years.
- Lane · entry 27789
كَابَرَ
To vie or contend with another for superiority; to dispute or overcome in a contest of greatness.
The construction may describe rivalry, disputation, or overcoming another in claimed superiority.
- Lane · entry 27791
كَابَرَ
To deny or disacknowledge another's right while contending for it.
A specialized transitive construction for disputing a due or right, including knowingly resisting the truth of an opponent's claim.
- Lane · entry 27791
مُكَابَرٌ عَلَيْهِ
To have one's property taken from one by force.
A passive construction describing forcible seizure or overpowering with respect to property.
- Lane · entry 27791
- Lane · entry 27819
أَكْبَرَ
Of a female animal, to bring forth a large young one.
This is a specialized Classical Arabic use of the Form IV verb, distinct from the Quranic sense of regarding something as great.
- Lane · entry 27792
تَكَبَّرَ
To possess or manifest genuine excellence and superiority in great actions.
A laudatory Classical Arabic use, distinguished from the Quranic blameworthy use of affected or arrogant self-exaltation.
- Lane · entry 27793
اِسْتَكْبَرَ
To seek or endeavor to become great in an appropriate way.
In the ethical distinction preserved in the lexical discussion, seeking legitimate greatness in the proper circumstance may be praiseworthy; this is separate from the Quranic blameworthy usage.
- Lane · entry 27793
- Mufradāt · row 1232
كِبْر
Unbelief or associating another being with God.
A specialized traditional usage extending the notion of arrogant refusal into unbelief and shirk.
- Lane · entry 27797
كَبَر
The caper or capparis plant.
A separate plant name, described as an Arabicized borrowing and not a semantic branch of greatness.
- Lane · entry 27798
كَبْرَة
Oldness or age; by extension, age-worn or rust-damaged condition of an iron weapon head or blade.
The noun can describe old age in persons and deterioration through age in objects; it is also used of dates and similar things.
- Lane · entry 27802
كِبْرَة
The eldest or greatest member of a family or people, or the one nearest in kin to the chief ancestor.
The term may mark seniority by age, headship, genealogical proximity, or precedence in inheritance from an emancipator.
- Lane · entry 27803
كَابِر
Great in dignity or nobility; one who prevails in greatness; a lord, chief, or greatest ancestor.
This is the separate active-participial headword كَابِر, including the idiom of inheriting dignity from one great ancestor after another.
- Lane · entry 27809
كِبْر
Elders, senior men, or great people of a group.
In a special plural usage, كِبْر can function as a plural of أَكْبَر for senior or eminent members of a community.
- Lane · entry 27814
كُبْرَىٰ
Advanced in age, especially among a group of daughters or children.
A specialized feminine superlative use referring to age and seniority rather than general greatness or severity.
- Lane · entry 27814
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
كَبُرَ and كَبِرَ are distinct vocalized verbs: the Quranic Form I group is كَبُرَ, while the Classical age verb discussed separately is كَبِرَ.
أَكْبَرَ as a Form IV verb and أَكْبَر as a comparative adjective are homographic but are separate QAC form groups and public entries.
The Quranic uses of اِسْتَكْبَرَ, مُسْتَكْبِر, and مُتَكَبِّر are predominantly blameworthy; the lexical tradition also records distinct laudatory or legitimate uses of related forms.