noun Common

Maya

MEYE-uh

Quiz me More like this

Maya (noun) means a member of the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica whose civilisation flourished in what is now Mexico and Central America, known for its cities, writing system, and calendar. Example: “Archaeologists have uncovered a huge Maya city hidden under the jungle canopy.”

noun

A member of the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica whose civilisation flourished in what is now Mexico and Central America, known for its cities, writing system, and calendar.

"Archaeologists have uncovered a huge Maya city hidden under the jungle canopy."

"Many Maya communities in Guatemala still speak their ancestral languages today."

In Hindu and Buddhist thought, the idea that the everyday physical world is an illusion masking a deeper spiritual reality.

"The philosophy teacher explained maya as the veil that hides ultimate truth from the senses."

"In this tradition, letting go of maya is a step toward enlightenment."

How to use Maya

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the Mesoamerican people/civilisation, or (in Hindu/Buddhist philosophy) the illusion of the physical world.

Common mistake

Capitalise "Maya" when referring to the people, civilisation, or language; the philosophical term is usually left lowercase.

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like Maya.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Mayas

Test yourself on “Maya” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Archaeologists have uncovered a huge _____ city hidden under the jungle canopy.

Etymology

The Mesoamerican sense comes from the Maya people's own name for themselves; the philosophical sense is from Sanskrit māyā, meaning "illusion" or the power that creates it.

Origin: Sanskrit

Synonyms

View more →

illusion delusion mirage unreality Mayan

Related words

reality fantasy fancy illusion deception delusion mirage collusion

Rhymes for Maya

ya WYA MYA aya saya kuya raya heya hiya kaya Jaya diya

See all rhymes for Maya →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Maya” mean?

The word “Maya” means a member of the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica whose civilisation flourished in what is now Mexico and Central America, known for its cities, writing system, and calendar. In plain terms, either the Mesoamerican people/civilisation, or (in Hindu/Buddhist philosophy) the illusion of the physical world.

How do you pronounce “Maya”?

“Maya” is pronounced MEYE-uh (/ˈmaɪə/ in IPA).

How do you use “Maya” in a sentence?

Here is “Maya” used in a sentence: “Archaeologists have uncovered a huge Maya city hidden under the jungle canopy.”

What part of speech is “Maya”?

“Maya” is a noun.

Where does the word “Maya” come from?

The word “Maya” comes from Sanskrit. The Mesoamerican sense comes from the Maya people's own name for themselves; the philosophical sense is from Sanskrit māyā, meaning "illusion" or the power that creates it.

Is “Maya” a common word?

“Maya” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Maya” have?

“Maya” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica whose civilisation flourished in what is now Mexico and Central America, known for its cities, writing system, and calendar.

What is the difference between Maya and Mayan?

Maya generally refers to the Mesoamerican people and their civilization, and is often used as the adjective too. Many scholars reserve 'Mayan' specifically for the family of languages the Maya speak.

What is the difference between the Maya and the Aztecs?

The Maya were a civilization centered in what is now southern Mexico and Central America, known for their cities, writing system, and calendar. The Aztecs were a separate, later empire based in central Mexico.

How is maya as a spiritual concept different from the Maya civilization?

In Hindu and Buddhist thought, maya is the idea that the everyday physical world is an illusion masking a deeper spiritual reality. The Maya civilization is an unrelated people who happen to share the spelling.

Are the Maya people still around today?

Yes. Millions of Maya people still live in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and neighboring countries, where many continue to speak Mayan languages and maintain cultural traditions.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include Maya:

Words with Sanskrit origins Words that end with A

People also searched

reality fantasy fancy illusion deception delusion mirage collusion