Arihant means “the one who has destroyed inner enemies.” In Jainism, it refers to a soul that has overcome passions like anger, attachment, pride, and greed and has attained kevala jnana (infinite right knowledge). An Arihant is a fully enlightened soul still living in the worldly body; after completing the spiritual journey they become a siddha (liberated soul) at moksha.

Key points:

• Etymology: ari = enemy; hant = destroyer. So an Arihant is one who has destroyed inner enemies.
• What is realized: kevala jnana (omniscience) and complete self-control over karmic afflictions.
• Status: not yet liberated; still in the cycle of birth and death as a perfected but embodied soul. The liberated form is called siddha.
• Tirthankaras are the most renowned Arihants; all Kevalins are Arihants, but not every Arihant is yet a siddha.

Tradition note:

• Both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions use the term Arihant with the same core meaning, though they may describe related statuses (like kevala jnana) with tradition-specific nuances.

You can read more about this concept here