noun Common

Nigeria

neye-JEER-ree-uh

Nigeria (noun) means a country in West Africa, the most populous nation on the continent, with Abuja as its capital and Lagos as its largest city. Example: “Nigeria is home to hundreds of distinct ethnic groups and languages.”

noun

A country in West Africa, the most populous nation on the continent, with Abuja as its capital and Lagos as its largest city.

"Nigeria is home to hundreds of distinct ethnic groups and languages."

How to use Nigeria

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe English name for the West African country of Nigeria.

Easily confused with

Niger →

Common pairings

Nigeria and Niger the people of Nigeria Nigerian government

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_____ is home to hundreds of distinct ethnic groups and languages.

Etymology

Coined in 1897 by the British journalist Flora Shaw, who combined "Niger" (the river running through the region) with the suffix "-ia," used for naming countries.

· First attested 1897

Class of 1897 Nigeria joined the language around 1897.

motorcycle Nosferatu Yami

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Rhymes for Nigeria

IA Odia aria Asia India Syria Bahia mania Latvia acacia Zambia Russia

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Nigeria” mean?

The word “Nigeria” means a country in West Africa, the most populous nation on the continent, with Abuja as its capital and Lagos as its largest city. In plain terms, the English name for the West African country of Nigeria.

How do you pronounce “Nigeria”?

“Nigeria” is pronounced neye-JEER-ree-uh (/naɪˈd͡ʒɪɹiə/ in IPA).

How do you use “Nigeria” in a sentence?

Here is “Nigeria” used in a sentence: “Nigeria is home to hundreds of distinct ethnic groups and languages.”

What part of speech is “Nigeria”?

“Nigeria” is a noun.

Where does the word “Nigeria” come from?

The word “Nigeria” dates back to around 1897. Coined in 1897 by the British journalist Flora Shaw, who combined "Niger" (the river running through the region) with the suffix "-ia," used for naming countries.

Is “Nigeria” a common word?

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

What is the demonym for Nigeria?

A person or thing from Nigeria is called "Nigerian." The word works both as a noun ("she is a Nigerian") and as an adjective ("Nigerian food").

What is the difference between Nigeria and Niger?

Nigeria is the populous country in West Africa, with Abuja as its capital and Lagos as its largest city. Niger is a separate, landlocked country to its north. Despite the similar names, they are distinct nations.

What is the difference between Nigeria's capital and its largest city?

Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and serves as the seat of government. Lagos is the country's largest city and a major commercial hub, but it is not the capital. The two are different cities with different roles.

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