Oud Terminology Glossary in Arabic, English and Indonesian

The world of oud is full of terms that confuse the beginner and demand precision from the professional. In this comprehensive glossary we have gathered the most important oud terms in three languages — Arabic, English and Indonesian — with a brief definition of each and a link for those who want to go deeper. Use it as a quick reference whenever you meet an unfamiliar term.

One: Names and synonyms

Oud (AR: العود · ID: Oud/Gaharu) — The fragrant resinous wood that forms in Aquilaria trees; the word's root means "wood." Details in the origin of the word oud.

Agarwood (wood) (AR: خشب العود · ID: Kayu gaharu) — The descriptive name for the oud-producing wood, meaning the wood saturated with fragrant resin.

Gaharu (AR: الغاهارو · ID: Gaharu) — The local name for oud in Indonesia and Malaysia. Details in the origin of the word Gaharu.

Agarwood (AR: خشب العود · ID: Gaharu) — The English scientific and trade name for oud, from the Sanskrit aguru. Details in the origin of the word Agarwood.

Oud (AR: عود · ID: Oud) — The English transliteration of the Arabic word 'ūd, dominant in fine perfumery.

Oudh (AR: عود · ID: Oudh) — An alternative spelling of Oud, with exactly the same meaning.

Aloeswood (AR: عود · ID: Gaharu) — An old English name for oud, of Greek origin. See the names of oud across languages.

Eaglewood (AR: عود · ID: Gaharu) — Another English name for oud, from a Portuguese reshaping that took the word to be connected with the eagle. Details in the origin of the word Agarwood.

Two: Botany and formation

Aquilaria (AR: أكويلاريا · ID: Aquilaria) — The main botanical genus to which most oud trees belong. See endangered species.

Gyrinops (AR: غيرينوبس · ID: Gyrinops) — Another oud-producing botanical genus, common in eastern Indonesia.

Resin (AR: الراتنج · ID: Resin/Damar) — The fragrant substance the tree secretes when wounded; it is the essence of oud's scent and value. See the history of sinking oud.

Heartwood (AR: خشب القلب · ID: Kayu teras) — The inner part of the tree's trunk where the resin accumulates and oud forms.

Three: Types and state

Natural oud (AR: العود الطبيعيّ · ID: Gaharu alami) — Oud that has undergone no treatment or addition, as it formed by nature. Browse natural oud.

Enhanced oud (AR: العود المحسَّن · ID: Gaharu olahan) — Oud that has undergone treatment to improve its appearance or scent. Learn the difference in enhanced and treated oud.

Saturated oud (AR: العود المشبَّع · ID: Gaharu jenuh) — Oud so rich in resin that its wood is saturated, often sinking. See the history of sinking oud.

Cultivated oud (AR: العود المزروع · ID: Gaharu budidaya) — Oud from planted, induced trees. See oud plantations.

Wild oud (AR: العود البرّيّ · ID: Gaharu liar) — Oud from trees naturally infected in the forest. See from wild oud to modern farms.

Sinking oud (AR: العود الغاطس · ID: Gaharu tenggelam) — The highest grade of oud, sinking in water for its richness in resin. See the history of sinking oud.

Four: Commercial grades

Super (AR: سوبر · ID: Super) — A high grade of oud quality. Browse premium oud.

Double super (AR: دبل سوبر · ID: Double super) — A grade above super in resin density and scent. Browse collectors grade.

Triple super (AR: تربل سوبر · ID: Triple super) — Among the highest grades, often sinking or semi-sinking. Browse luxury grade.

Five: Regions and origins

Merauke (AR: مروكي · ID: Merauke) — Oud from the Merauke region of Papua. Browse Merauke oud.

Kalimantan (AR: كلمنتان · ID: Kalimantan) — Oud from the Indonesian part of Borneo. Browse Kalimantan oud.

Sumatran (AR: سومطري · ID: Sumatra) — Oud from the island of Sumatra. Browse Sumatran oud.

Malino (AR: مالينو · ID: Malino) — Oud from the Malino region in Sulawesi. Browse Malino oud.

Malinau (AR: ماليناو · ID: Malinau) — Oud from the Malinau region in North Kalimantan. Browse Malinau oud.

Pontianak (AR: بونتيانك · ID: Pontianak) — Oud from the Pontianak region in West Kalimantan. Browse Pontianak oud.

Javanese (AR: جاوي · ID: Jawa) — Oud from the island of Java. Browse Javanese oud.

Bangka (AR: بانكا · ID: Bangka) — Oud from the island of Bangka. Browse Bangka oud.

Jayapura (AR: جايابورا · ID: Jayapura) — Oud from the Jayapura region of Papua. Browse Jayapura oud.

Papua (AR: بابوا · ID: Papua) — Oud from the Papua region, known for its strong character. Browse Papua oud.

Six: Products and forms

Dahn al-oud (oud oil) (AR: دهن العود · ID: Minyak gaharu) — The fragrant oil extracted from oud by distillation. Learn more in dahn al-oud.

Distillation (AR: التقطير · ID: Penyulingan) — The process of extracting oud oil from the wood by steam or water. Learn how in oud distillation.

Chips (AR: الرقائق · ID: Serpih) — Pieces of oud wood used for burning. Browse agarwood chips.

Broken pieces (AR: الكسر · ID: Pecahan) — Small, broken pieces of oud, a practical choice for daily burning. Browse agarwood chips.

Powder (AR: البودرة · ID: Bubuk) — Ground oud used in making incense and products. Browse oud powder.

Seven: Scent and quality properties

Resin density (AR: كثافة الراتنج · ID: Kepadatan resin) — The amount of resin in the wood; the more there is, the heavier the oud and the more it sinks. See the history of sinking oud.

Sillage (AR: الفوحان · ID: Sillage) — How far oud's scent spreads through the space around it.

Longevity (AR: الثبات · ID: Ketahanan) — How long oud's scent lasts on the skin or in the space.

Eight: Trade and documentation

CITES (AR: اتفاقيّة سايتس · ID: CITES) — The international convention that regulates trade in threatened oud. See the role of CITES.

Certificate of origin (AR: شهادة المنشأ · ID: Sertifikat asal) — An official document stating the oud's country of origin. See certificates of origin.

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) (AR: الحدّ الأدنى للطلب · ID: MOQ) — The smallest quantity a supplier accepts per order, an essential term in wholesale. Request a quotation.

Quotation (AR: عرض السعر · ID: Penawaran harga) — A document setting out oud's price and terms for a specific quantity. Request a quotation.

Batch Number (AR: رقم الدفعة · ID: Nomor bets) — A code identifying a particular production batch and enabling its source to be traced. See tracing the oud's source.

Private Label (AR: العلامة الخاصّة · ID: Private Label) — Supplying oud under the buyer's own brand. Browse manufacturing oud.