dubai

IPA/duːˈbaɪ/
KK[dubˈaɪ]IPA/duːˈbaɪ/

dubai — noun

1. a territory on the Persian Gulf coast that is one of seven self-governing states

1.nounB1
Definition

a territory on the Persian Gulf coast that is one of seven self-governing states within the UAE federation, each headed by a ruler known as an emir.

Example

Dubai is the second-largest emirate in the UAE by land area.

comparative structure: Dubai is the [adj]-est emirate…

Walid read about how Dubai's economy shifted from fishing to oil and tourism.

possessive: Dubai's + noun for the emirate's economy

Common collocations
  • emirate of Dubai
  • ruler of Dubai
  • Dubai's economy
  • Dubai's government

Grammar Patterns

the emirate of Dubai

Dubai + verb

2. the largest city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the emirate of D

2.nounA2
Definition

the largest city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the emirate of Dubai, famous for its tall modern buildings, luxury shopping centres, and tourism industry.

Example

Saira booked a hotel near the beach in Dubai for her holiday.

in Dubai — location preposition pattern

Yan's company transferred him to the Dubai office for two years.

the Dubai office — compound noun: place + noun

Common collocations
  • in Dubai
  • visit Dubai
  • fly to Dubai
  • live in Dubai
  • Dubai airport
  • downtown Dubai

Grammar Patterns

in Dubai

visit Dubai

fly to Dubai

Common Mistakes

I visited Dubai emirate last week.
I visited Dubai last week.
When talking about travel, 'Dubai' alone usually refers to the city, not the emirate as a political unit.
He moved at Dubai in 2022.
He moved to Dubai in 2022.
Use 'to' for movement toward a city, not 'at'.

Word family

  • Dubai-based
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are both emirates within the UAE, but they differ in key ways. Abu Dhabi is the political capital of the country and holds most of its oil reserves, making it the wealthiest emirate. Dubai, by contrast, built its economy on trade, tourism, real estate, and financial services, and is far more internationally recognised as a travel destination. The term 'emirate' describes any of the seven states (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah) that together form the UAE. When learners say 'I am going to Dubai,' they almost always mean the city; to refer to the country, use 'the UAE.' For example: 'Dubai has the busiest airport in the world' vs. 'Abu Dhabi is the seat of the UAE government.'

Dubai ↗Abu DhabiUAEemirate

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the emirate of Dubai
  • the city of Dubai
  • downtown Dubai
  • Dubai International Airport

Prepositions

Etymology

ArabicEnglish

The name 'Dubai' comes from Arabic 'Dubayy' (دبي), which may be a diminutive of 'dabba' (دبّ), meaning 'to creep' or 'to flow slowly' — a possible reference to the slow movement of Dubai Creek. Another theory connects the name to a local word for a type of locust once common in the area. The name entered English through British colonial and trade contacts in the 19th century.