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Philadelphia

fih-luh-DEHL-fee-uh
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Philadelphia (name) means a major U.S. city in Pennsylvania, once the nation's capital and home to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Example: “They flew into Philadelphia to see the historic sites where the Declaration of Independence was signed.”

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A major U.S. city in Pennsylvania, once the nation's capital and home to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
"They flew into Philadelphia to see the historic sites where the Declaration of Independence was signed."
"Philadelphia is often nicknamed "the City of Brotherly Love.""

How to use Philadelphia

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe historic city in Pennsylvania, USA — also used informally (lowercase) as a name for a well-known brand of cream cheese.

Common pairings
Philadelphia cream cheese the city of Philadelphia downtown Philadelphia
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They flew into _____ to see the historic sites where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Etymology

From Greek philadelphia, "brotherly love," combining philos ("loving") and adelphos ("brother"). The city was named by its Quaker founder William Penn to reflect his hopes for religious tolerance.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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Philly the City of Brotherly Love

Related words

Philly

Rhymes for Philadelphia

Odia aria India Syria ataxia Latvia acacia LGBTQIA ectasia hryvnia begonia anaemia
See all rhymes for Philadelphia →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Philadelphia” mean?
The word “Philadelphia” means a major U.S. city in Pennsylvania, once the nation's capital and home to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. In plain terms, the historic city in Pennsylvania, USA — also used informally (lowercase) as a name for a well-known brand of cream cheese.
How do you pronounce “Philadelphia”?
“Philadelphia” is pronounced fih-luh-DEHL-fee-uh (/fɪləˈdɛlfi.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Philadelphia” in a sentence?
Here is “Philadelphia” used in a sentence: “They flew into Philadelphia to see the historic sites where the Declaration of Independence was signed.”
What part of speech is “Philadelphia”?
“Philadelphia” is a name.
Where does the word “Philadelphia” come from?
The word “Philadelphia” comes from Greek. From Greek philadelphia, "brotherly love," combining philos ("loving") and adelphos ("brother"). The city was named by its Quaker founder William Penn to reflect his hopes for religious tolerance.
Is “Philadelphia” a common word?
“Philadelphia” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Was Philadelphia ever the capital of the United States?
Yes. Philadelphia served as the temporary national capital from 1790 to 1800 while Washington, D.C. was being built. It had earlier hosted the Continental Congress, and both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and signed there, making it central to the nation's founding.
What is Philadelphia known for?
Philadelphia is famous as a birthplace of American independence, home to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. It is also known for its cheesesteaks, the Rocky films and their art-museum steps, passionate sports fans, and a rich colonial history. Locals often call it simply Philly.
Why is Philadelphia called the City of Brotherly Love?
The name comes from Greek, combining philos, meaning love, and adelphos, meaning brother. William Penn founded the city in 1682 as a place of religious tolerance and chose the name to reflect that ideal. The nickname endures today and is often shortened simply to Philly.
What state is Philadelphia in?
Philadelphia is in Pennsylvania, in the northeastern United States, and is the state's largest city. It sits in the southeast of the state along the Delaware River, near the border with New Jersey. Despite its size, it is not the state capital; that role belongs to Harrisburg.

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