name
Common
Manila
muh-NIHL-uh
Manila (name) means the capital city of the Philippines. Example: “They landed in Manila after a long flight from London.”
name
1
The capital city of the Philippines.
"They landed in Manila after a long flight from London."
adj
1
Made from a strong tan-colored paper or fiber, as in folders and rope.
"The documents were filed away in a manila folder."
noun
1
A strong fiber from the abaca plant, used to make rope and paper.
"The ship's rigging was made of manila rope."
How to use Manila
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the Philippine capital, or the tan-colored paper and rope named after it.
Common pairings
manila envelope
manila rope
manila folder
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Word forms
- Plural
- manilas
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They landed in _____ after a long flight from London.
Etymology
Named after Manila, the Philippine city, whose own name comes from Tagalog words roughly meaning "where indigo grows."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Manila
See all rhymes for Manila →Frequently asked questions
What does “Manila” mean?
The word “Manila” means the capital city of the Philippines. In plain terms, either the Philippine capital, or the tan-colored paper and rope named after it.
How do you pronounce “Manila”?
“Manila” is pronounced muh-NIHL-uh (/məˈnɪl.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Manila” in a sentence?
Here is “Manila” used in a sentence: “They landed in Manila after a long flight from London.”
What part of speech is “Manila”?
Depending on how it is used, “Manila” can be a name, an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Manila” come from?
The word “Manila” comes from Tagalog. Named after Manila, the Philippine city, whose own name comes from Tagalog words roughly meaning "where indigo grows.".
Is “Manila” a common word?
“Manila” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Manila” have?
“Manila” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the capital city of the Philippines.
What is the difference between manila and manilla?
Both spellings appear in English; 'Manila' is standard for the capital of the Philippines and is also widely used for the tan paper and fiber, while 'manilla' is a common variant for the paper and envelope sense. Usage varies, but 'manila folder' and 'manila envelope' are the more usual forms.
Why are envelopes and folders called manila?
Manila describes a strong tan-colored paper originally made from manila fiber, which comes from the abaca plant. Envelopes and folders made from this durable material took the name, even where modern versions use other pulp.
What is manila rope made from?
Manila rope is made from manila fiber, a strong natural fiber obtained from the abaca plant. Its strength and resistance to saltwater made it popular for marine and heavy-duty uses.
Is manila a color?
Manila commonly refers to the pale tan or buff color of manila paper and folders. Strictly it names the material and its fiber, but the word is widely used to describe that light brown shade.
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