Dubai is the name of a city.
Dubai ( [ duːˈbaɪ ] ; دبي , Gulf pronunciation : [ dʊˈbɑj ] ) is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) . Dubai emerged as a global city and business hub of the Middle East . The city has become iconic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings , in particular the world 's tallest building , the Burj Khalifa .