noun
Uncommon
Madeira
muh-DEER-ruh
Madeira (noun) means a fortified wine from the Portuguese island of Madeira, often used in cooking or served as a dessert wine. Example: “The chef added a splash of madeira to the sauce.”
noun
1
A fortified wine from the Portuguese island of Madeira, often used in cooking or served as a dessert wine.
"The chef added a splash of madeira to the sauce."
"They toasted the occasion with a glass of madeira."
name
1
A Portuguese island and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.
"They spent their honeymoon hiking the hills of Madeira."
How to use Madeira
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the fortified wine or the Portuguese island it's named after.
Common pairings
a glass of madeira
madeira cake
madeira sauce
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Word forms
- Plural
- Madeiras
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The chef added a splash of _____ to the sauce.
Etymology
From Portuguese madeira, meaning "wood" — the island was named for its dense forests when discovered.
Rhymes for Madeira
See all rhymes for Madeira →Frequently asked questions
What does “Madeira” mean?
The word “Madeira” means a fortified wine from the Portuguese island of Madeira, often used in cooking or served as a dessert wine. In plain terms, either the fortified wine or the Portuguese island it's named after.
How do you pronounce “Madeira”?
“Madeira” is pronounced muh-DEER-ruh (/məˈdɪɹə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Madeira” in a sentence?
Here is “Madeira” used in a sentence: “The chef added a splash of madeira to the sauce.”
What part of speech is “Madeira”?
Depending on how it is used, “Madeira” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “Madeira” come from?
The word “Madeira” comes from Portuguese. From Portuguese madeira, meaning "wood" — the island was named for its dense forests when discovered.
Is “Madeira” a common word?
“Madeira” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Madeira” have?
“Madeira” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fortified wine from the Portuguese island of Madeira, often used in cooking or served as a dessert wine.
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