noun
Uncommon
ama
AH-muh
Ama (noun) means a traditional Japanese diver, typically a woman, who free-dives for pearls, shellfish, or seaweed. Example: “The ama dove without any breathing equipment, holding her breath for minutes at a time.”
noun
1
A traditional Japanese diver, typically a woman, who free-dives for pearls, shellfish, or seaweed.
"The ama dove without any breathing equipment, holding her breath for minutes at a time."
2
The outrigger float attached to a canoe or trimaran for stability.
"The ama kept the small canoe from tipping in rough water."
How to use ama
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a traditional Japanese free-diver or the stabilizing float on an outrigger canoe, depending on context.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like ama.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- amas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ dove without any breathing equipment, holding her breath for minutes at a time.
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese ama, referring to the traditional pearl and shellfish divers.
Rhymes for ama
See all rhymes for ama →Frequently asked questions
What does “ama” mean?
The word “ama” means a traditional Japanese diver, typically a woman, who free-dives for pearls, shellfish, or seaweed. In plain terms, either a traditional Japanese free-diver or the stabilizing float on an outrigger canoe, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “ama”?
“Ama” is pronounced AH-muh (/ˈɑː.mə/ in IPA).
How do you use “ama” in a sentence?
Here is “ama” used in a sentence: “The ama dove without any breathing equipment, holding her breath for minutes at a time.”
What part of speech is “ama”?
“Ama” is a noun.
Where does the word “ama” come from?
The word “ama” comes from Japanese. Borrowed from Japanese ama, referring to the traditional pearl and shellfish divers.
Is “ama” a common word?
“Ama” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ama” have?
“Ama” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a traditional Japanese diver, typically a woman, who free-dives for pearls, shellfish, or seaweed.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include ama:
