name
Common
Melbourne
MEHL-buhn
Melbourne (name) means the capital city of the Australian state of Victoria. Example: “Melbourne is known for its coffee culture and laneway art.”
name
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The capital city of the Australian state of Victoria.
"Speaking to reporters at Melbourne airport, their fathers thanked supporters and praised efforts from the Australian government, according to Nine News."
— Jessie Yeung and Isaac Yee, Laos detains foreign hostel staff over backpacker methanol poisonings as families and travelers demand answers (2024)
"Melbourne is known for its coffee culture and laneway art."
How to use Melbourne
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA major Australian city, also the name of several smaller towns worldwide.
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_____ is known for its coffee culture and laneway art.
Etymology
Named after the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, whose title comes from a town in Derbyshire, England, itself from Old English words for "mill" and "stream."
Rhymes for Melbourne
See all rhymes for Melbourne →Frequently asked questions
What does “Melbourne” mean?
The word “Melbourne” means the capital city of the Australian state of Victoria. In plain terms, a major Australian city, also the name of several smaller towns worldwide.
How do you pronounce “Melbourne”?
“Melbourne” is pronounced MEHL-buhn (/ˈmɛl.bɚn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Melbourne” in a sentence?
Here is “Melbourne” used in a sentence: “Melbourne is known for its coffee culture and laneway art.”
What part of speech is “Melbourne”?
“Melbourne” is a name.
Where does the word “Melbourne” come from?
The word “Melbourne” comes from Old English. Named after the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, whose title comes from a town in Derbyshire, England, itself from Old English words for "mill" and "stream.".
Is “Melbourne” a common word?
“Melbourne” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is Melbourne the capital of Australia?
No. Melbourne is the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, not of the country; the national capital of Australia is Canberra. Melbourne is, however, one of Australia's largest and most populous cities.
What is the difference between Melbourne, Australia and Melbourne, Florida?
Melbourne most often refers to the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, a large coastal city. There is also a smaller city named Melbourne in Florida, USA, so adding the state or country usually makes clear which is meant.
What do you call a person from Melbourne?
A person from Melbourne is called a "Melburnian," which drops the "o" of the city's name. The place name itself keeps its "-bourne" ending.
Should "Melbourne" always be capitalised?
Yes. As the proper name of a city, "Melbourne" is always written with a capital M, whether it refers to the Australian city or another place of the same name.
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