The article is devoted to the definition of invective as a phenomenon in the Arabic language, and the typology of one of its main means – invective vocabulary. The paper considers the understanding of invective as insult and verbal aggression, highlights the main criterion that distinguishes invective lexicon from the rest of the vocabulary. On the basis of this, as well as existing approaches to the classification of means of verbal aggression, it is proposed to classify invective lexemes on three grounds: semantic, taboo/codified status, and the ability to act as a vocative.