name
Uncommon
Bengal
behng-GAWL
Bengal (name) means a historical and cultural region in South Asia, now split between the country of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. Example: “Bengal has a rich literary tradition going back centuries.”
name
1
A historical and cultural region in South Asia, now split between the country of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal.
"Bengal has a rich literary tradition going back centuries."
noun
1
A short-haired breed of domestic cat with a distinctive spotted coat, developed in the United States by crossing with the Asian leopard cat.
"Their Bengal has the same striking rosette markings as a small leopard."
How to use Bengal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the South Asian region, or the exotic-looking spotted cat breed named after it.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Bengals
- Comparative
- more Bengal
- Superlative
- most Bengal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ has a rich literary tradition going back centuries.
Etymology
Via Portuguese Bengala, ultimately from a Persian and Bengali name linked to the old Vanga Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Bengal” mean?
The word “Bengal” means a historical and cultural region in South Asia, now split between the country of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. In plain terms, either the South Asian region, or the exotic-looking spotted cat breed named after it.
How do you pronounce “Bengal”?
“Bengal” is pronounced behng-GAWL (/bɛŋˈɡɑl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Bengal” in a sentence?
Here is “Bengal” used in a sentence: “Bengal has a rich literary tradition going back centuries.”
What part of speech is “Bengal”?
Depending on how it is used, “Bengal” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Bengal” come from?
The word “Bengal” comes from Portuguese. Via Portuguese Bengala, ultimately from a Persian and Bengali name linked to the old Vanga Kingdom.
Is “Bengal” a common word?
“Bengal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Bengal” have?
“Bengal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a historical and cultural region in South Asia, now split between the country of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal.
Where is Bengal located?
Bengal is a historical and cultural region in South Asia, now divided between the country of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. It has a long shared linguistic and cultural heritage despite the modern political border.
What is a Bengal cat?
A Bengal is a short-haired breed of domestic cat with a distinctive spotted coat, developed in the United States by crossing domestic cats with the Asian leopard cat. The breed's name references the wild leopard cat's origins in Asia rather than the region of Bengal itself.
Is "Bengal" the same as "Bengali"?
"Bengal" refers to the region itself, while "Bengali" is the adjective and noun used for the people, language, and culture associated with that region. For example, someone from Bengal is described as "Bengali," and the language spoken there is also called "Bengali."
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