noun
anil
uh-NIHL
Anil (noun) means the indigo shrub, or the deep blue dye extracted from it. Example: “Anil was once one of the most valuable export crops in colonial India.”
noun
1
The indigo shrub, or the deep blue dye extracted from it.
"Anil was once one of the most valuable export crops in colonial India."
"Traders shipped anil across the Atlantic before synthetic dyes replaced it."
How to use anil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA plant used to make natural blue dye, or the dye itself.
Common mistake
Mostly seen today in chemistry and historical/textile contexts rather than everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- anils
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ was once one of the most valuable export crops in colonial India.
Etymology
From Portuguese anil, itself from Arabic an-nīl ("the indigo"), tracing back through Persian to Sanskrit nīla, meaning "dark blue."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “anil” mean?
The word “anil” means the indigo shrub, or the deep blue dye extracted from it. In plain terms, a plant used to make natural blue dye, or the dye itself.
How do you pronounce “anil”?
“Anil” is pronounced uh-NIHL (/əˈnɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “anil” in a sentence?
Here is “anil” used in a sentence: “Anil was once one of the most valuable export crops in colonial India.”
What part of speech is “anil”?
“Anil” is a noun.
Where does the word “anil” come from?
The word “anil” comes from Portuguese. From Portuguese anil, itself from Arabic an-nīl ("the indigo"), tracing back through Persian to Sanskrit nīla, meaning "dark blue.".
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