Ilmiyya

Ilmiyya is a linguistic term used in several languages derived from the Arabic root ilm, meaning knowledge. The suffix -iyya (or its Turkish form ilmiye / ilmîye) creates nouns and adjectives that denote a relation to knowledge, science, or scholarly study. As a result, ilmiyya can function as an adjective meaning “scientific,” “academic,” or “knowledge-based,” and as a noun referring to matters connected with knowledge or the sciences in a broad sense.

In Arabic, علمية can be used to describe things related to knowledge or science, as in phrases denoting scientific fields, methods, or discourse. In Turkish and some Persian-influenced contexts, ilmiye or ilmîye mirrors this function, appearing in compound terms or as part of titles and descriptions within educational, scholarly, or technical settings. The form is productive in many languages that borrow Arabic roots, and it is commonly encountered in discussions of education, research, and science.

Usage notes: ilmiyya is not a single, stand-alone entity or organization. Rather, it is a generic linguistic form that appears in multiple phrases and titles across different languages. Because it is a broad descriptor, its exact meaning can vary by context, ranging from a general sense of “scientific” to more specific references to particular domains of knowledge.

See also: ilm, knowledge, science, Arabic language morphology, Turkish ilmiye, nisba and suffix formations.