This article is concerned with loanwords, that is, words in English that derive from Persian, either directly, or more often, from one or more intermediary languages.
Many words of Persian origin have made their way into the English language through different, often circuitous, routes. Some of them, such as "paradise", date to cultural contacts between the Persian people and the ancient Greeks or Romans and through Greek and Latin found their way to English. Persian as the second important language of Islam has influenced many languages in the Muslim world such as Arabic and Turkish, and its words have found their way beyond that region.
Iran (Persia) remained largely impenetrable to English-speaking travelers well into the 19th century. Iran was protected from Europe by overland trade routes that passed through territory inhospitable to foreigners, while trade at Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf was in the hands of locals. In contrast, intrepid English traders operated in Mediterranean seaports of the Levant from the 1570s, and some vocabulary describing features of Ottoman culture found their way into the English language. Thus many words in this list, though originally from Persian, arrived in English through the intermediary of the Ottoman Turkish language.
Many Persian words also came into English through Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu), Bengali and Punjabi during British colonialism. Persian was the language of the Mughal court before British rule in India even though locals in northern India (Hindustan) had their lingua franca as Hindustani.
Other words of Persian origin found their way into European languages—and eventually reached English at second-hand—through the Moorish-Christian cultural interface in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages thus being transmitted through Arabic.
A Algorithm Etymology: The word algorithm is derived from the Latin translation, Algoritmi de numero Indorum, of the 9th-century Persian mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi's arithmetic treatise “Al-Khwarizmi Concerning the Hindu Art of Reckoning.” More specifically, it is derived from al-Khwarizmi's nisba which is attained from the name of his home town, Khwarazm. The Arab geographer Yaqut al-Hamawi in his Muʿǧam al-buldan wrote that the name was a Persian compound of khwar (خوار), and razm (رزم), referring to the abundance of cooked fish as a main diet of the peoples of this area. C.E. Bosworth, however, believed the Persian name to be made up of xor (خور 'the sun') and zam (زم 'earth, land'), designating 'the land from which the sun rises'.
Alfalfa Etymology: Spanish, from Arabic al-faṣfaṣa: al-, the + faṣfaṣa, alfalfa (variant of fiṣfiṣa, ultimately (probably via Coptic p-espesta: p-, masculine sing. definite article + espesta, alfalfa) from Aramaic espestā from Middle Persian aspast, horse fodder."alfalfa." American Heritage Dictionary, 5th Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011.
Alkekengi, alkakengi Etymology: Middle English alkenkengy, from Medieval Latin alkekengi, from Arabic al-kākanj the ground-cherry, from Persian kākunaj. a Chinese lantern plant. Amazons via Old French (13c.) or Latin, from Greek Amazon (mostly in plural Amazones) "one of a race of female warriors in Scythia," possibly from an Iranian compound *ha-maz-an- "(one) fighting together". Or a borrowing from old Persian for a warring Scythian tribe ("ha-u-ma-va-r-(z)ga: 'lit. 'performing the Haoma plant ritual' "),
Assassin The original word in Persian: اساسیان Asaasiaan which is in two parts. 'Asaas' [Arabic for Foundation/God] and 'iaan' [Persian adj. 'committed/plural'] is the common name used to refer to Nizari Ismailis under the leadership of Hassan-i Sabbah who conducted a series of political assassinations. It is a common misconception that they were called Hashashim, which is supposed to imply that they were drugged on Hashish to do their martyrdom, because the opposition of the Ismaili groups wanted to tarnish their name. Azure Middle English (denoting a blue dye): from Old French asur, azur, from medieval Latin azzurum, azolum, from Arabic al 'the' + lāzaward (from Persian lāžward 'lapis lazuli').:
Aubergine Etymology: Catalan albergínia, from Arabic al-bādhinjān, from Persian Bādenjān بادنجان.
Azerbaijan According to a modern etymology, the term Azerbaijan derives from the name of Atropates, a Persian satrap under the Achaemenid Empire, who was later reinstated as the satrap of Media under Alexander of Macedonia. The original etymology of this name is thought to have its roots in the once-dominant Zoroastrianism.
In Old Persian Azarbadgan or Azarbaygan means "The Land Protected By Holy Fire".
B
Babouche from French babouche and Arabic بابوش, from Persian pāpoosh (پاپوش), from pa "foot" + poosh "covering." a chiefly oriental slipper made without heel or quarters."babouche", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") Babul from Persian بابل bābul; akin to Sanskrit बब्बुल, बब्ब्ल babbula, babbla (Acacia arabica), an acacia tree (Acacia arabica) probably native to the Sudan that is widespread across northern Africa and parts of Asia including India. Badian from French badiane, from Persian بادیان bādiyān 'anise.' Baghdad Bagh+dad Yazata given. Baksheesh Etymology: from Persian bakhshesh (بخشش), lit. "gift," from verb بخشیدن bakhshidan "to give, to give in charity, to give mercifully; (hence, also) to forgive". A gift of money."baksheesh", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") Balaghat Etymology: probably from Hindi बालाघाट, from Persian بالا bālā 'above' + Hindi gaht 'pass.' tableland above mountain passes."balaghat." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Baldachin "Baldachin" (called Baldac in older times) was originally a luxurious type of cloth from Baghdad, from which name the word is derived, through Italian "Baldacchino". Balkans (region) Etymology: possibly from Persian balk 'mud' with Turkish suffix -an, or Persian بالا bālā 'big, high, upper, above' + خانه khāna 'house, upperhouse, room'. Ban (title) "governor of Croatia," from Croatian ban "lord, master, ruler," from Persian baan (بان) "prince, lord, chief, governor""ban, n.2", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") Barbican Etymology: possibly from Persian (خانه khāneh "house")."barbican", OED Barsom Etymology: from Persian برسم barsam, from Middle Persian برسم barsum, from Avestan بارسمان barsman. a bundle of sacred twigs or metal rods used by priests in Zoroastrian ceremonies."barsom." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Bazaar Etymology: Persian bāzār, alteration of Middle Persian bāchār, from Old Persian abēcharish. a market place with stalls Bazigar Etymology: from , from literally means a 'player' (< bāzi 'game, play' + participial suffix -gar; cf. English suffix -er, viz. "play-er") and it refers to a gypsylike nomadic Muslim people in India."bazigar." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Bedeguar Etymology: from Middle French bedegard, from Persian بادآورد baadaaward. gall like a moss produced on rosebushes (as the sweetbrier or eglantine) by a gall wasp (Rhodites rosae or related species)"bedeguar." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Begar, begari Etymology: from , from . Meaning forced labor."begar." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Belleric Etymology: from , from , from Persian بلیله balilah, the fruit of the bahera."belleric." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Bellum Etymology: modification of Persian بالم balam. a Persian-gulf boat holding about eight persons and propelled by paddles or poles."bellum." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Benami Etymology: be(बे) means 'not' or 'without'. Hindi बेनाम benaam, from Persian بنام banaam in the name of + i. made, held, done, or transacted in the name of."benami." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Bezoar Etymology: from pād-zahr (پادزهر) antidote. Any of various concretions found in the alimentary organs (especially of certain ruminants) formerly believed to possess magical properties and used in the Orient as a medicine or pigment."bezoar", OED"bezoar." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com (14 September 2006). Bheesty Etymology: from Persian بهشت bihisht heavenly one. India: a water carrier especially of a household or a regiment."bheesty." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Bhumidar from Hindi भुमिदर bhumidar, from भूमि bhumi earth, land (from Sanskrit भूमि bhuumi also Persian بومی Bumi and Old Persian 𐏏 Bum) + در dar holder (from Persian). India: a landholder having full title to his land."bhumidar." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Bildar Etymology: Hindi बेलदार beldar, from Persian بیلدر bildaar, from بیل bil spade + در -dar holder. Digger, Excavator."bildar." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Biryani Etymology: Hindi, or Urdu बिरयान biryaan from Persian بریان beryaan. roasted, grilled. Also an Indian dish containing meat, fish, or vegetables and rice flavored with saffron or turmeric.The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. "biryani." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Bobachee Etymology: Hindi बाबर्ची babarchi, from Persian باوارچی bawarchi. India: a male cook"bobachee." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Bolor Etymology: Mongolian Болор Bolour, from Persian بلور Booloor. Mongolian, Persian: Crystal"bolor." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Bombast Etymology: modification of Middle French bombace, from Medieval Latin 'bombac-, bombax' cotton, from Greek βόμβυκ bombyk-, βόμβυξ bombyx silkworm, silk garment, probably of Persian origin; akin to Persian پمپا pamba cotton. A pretentious inflated style of speech or writing."bombast." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com Borax Etymology: Via Middle English boras, Anglo-Norman boreis, Medieval Latin baurach, and Arabic بورق báuraq; ultimately from Persian بره burah or Middle Persian būrak. the best-known sodium borate Na2B4O7·10H2O"borax." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com"borax", OED Bostanji Etymology: Turkish bostanci, literally, gardener, from bostan garden, from Persian بوستان bustaan flower or herb garden, from بو bo fragrance + ستان -stan place. one of the imperial guards of Turkey whose duties include protecting the palace and its grounds, rowing the sultan's barge, and acting as imperial gardeners"bostanji." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com