noun
Common
Amazon
AM-uh-zuhn
Amazon (noun) means a member of a legendary race of female warriors said to live near the Black Sea in Greek mythology. Example: “The vase painting showed an Amazon riding into battle.”
noun
1
A member of a legendary race of female warriors said to live near the Black Sea in Greek mythology.
"The vase painting showed an Amazon riding into battle."
2
A tall, strong, athletic, or fiercely independent woman.
"The rugby player was built like an amazon."
name
1
The Amazon River, the largest river by volume in the world, flowing through Brazil to the Atlantic.
"The Amazon carries more water than the next several biggest rivers combined."
2
The vast rainforest region surrounding the Amazon River basin in South America.
"Deforestation in the Amazon has accelerated in recent decades."
How to use Amazon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the legendary warrior women of Greek myth, a powerfully built woman, or (capitalized) the river and rainforest in South America.
Common pairings
the Amazon rainforest
the Amazon basin
built like an amazon
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Word forms
- Plural
- Amazons
- Third person singular
- Amazons
- Past tense
- Amazoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The vase painting showed an _____ riding into battle.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek Amazon, the name of the legendary warrior women; a popular but unproven folk story claims it comes from Greek for "without a breast", referring to a myth that they removed one breast to draw a bow more easily.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Amazon” mean?
The word “Amazon” means a member of a legendary race of female warriors said to live near the Black Sea in Greek mythology. In plain terms, either the legendary warrior women of Greek myth, a powerfully built woman, or (capitalized) the river and rainforest in South America.
How do you pronounce “Amazon”?
“Amazon” is pronounced AM-uh-zuhn (/ˈæm.əˌzɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Amazon” in a sentence?
Here is “Amazon” used in a sentence: “The vase painting showed an Amazon riding into battle.”
What part of speech is “Amazon”?
Depending on how it is used, “Amazon” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “Amazon” come from?
The word “Amazon” comes from Ancient Greek.
Is “Amazon” a common word?
“Amazon” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Amazon” have?
“Amazon” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of a legendary race of female warriors said to live near the Black Sea in Greek mythology.
Were the Amazons real?
The Amazons of Greek myth, an all-female warrior nation, are legendary rather than historical. However, archaeology has found real warrior women among the ancient Scythian and Sarmatian peoples of the steppes near the Black Sea, buried with their weapons, which many scholars think helped inspire the myth.
What does 'amazon' mean in everyday English?
Beyond mythology, an amazon, spelt with a small a, describes a tall, strong, athletic woman. The sense borrows the myth's image of a powerful female warrior. It is usually admiring, though it can sound dated depending on how and where it is used.
Is the Amazon River named after the Amazons?
Yes, according to the traditional account. A sixteenth-century Spanish explorer is said to have named the South American river after a battle with female warriors on its banks, who reminded him of the Amazons of Greek legend. The vast rainforest then took its name from the river.
Who are famous Amazons in Greek mythology?
Well-known figures include Queen Hippolyta, whose girdle Heracles was sent to fetch, and Penthesilea, who fought at Troy and was slain by Achilles. Their queens and cities appear across Greek myth, and the modern superhero Wonder Woman is written as an Amazon princess.
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