noun
sultana
suhl-TAH-nuh
Sultana (noun) means a pale, seedless raisin made from a specific type of grape. Example: “She added a handful of sultanas to the fruit cake.”
noun
1
A pale, seedless raisin made from a specific type of grape.
"She added a handful of sultanas to the fruit cake."
2
The wife, mother, or female relative of a sultan.
"The sultana held considerable influence over palace politics."
How to use sultana
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a type of small seedless raisin, or the female relative of a sultan.
UK vs US
The raisin sense is common in British English; American English usually just says "golden raisin."
Common pairings
sultana raisins
a handful of sultanas
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Word forms
- Plural
- sultanas
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She added a handful of _____ to the fruit cake.
Etymology
From Italian sultana, the feminine form of sultano, entering English in the 1580s.
Class of 1580
sultana joined the language around 1580.
See the full Class of 1580 →
Synonyms
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seedless raisin
consort
Related words
Rhymes for sultana
See all rhymes for sultana →Frequently asked questions
What does “sultana” mean?
The word “sultana” means a pale, seedless raisin made from a specific type of grape. In plain terms, either a type of small seedless raisin, or the female relative of a sultan.
How do you pronounce “sultana”?
“Sultana” is pronounced suhl-TAH-nuh (/ˌsʌlˈtæ.nə/ in IPA).
How do you use “sultana” in a sentence?
Here is “sultana” used in a sentence: “She added a handful of sultanas to the fruit cake.”
What part of speech is “sultana”?
“Sultana” is a noun.
Where does the word “sultana” come from?
The word “sultana” dates back to around 1580 and comes from Italian. From Italian sultana, the feminine form of sultano, entering English in the 1580s.
How many meanings does “sultana” have?
“Sultana” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pale, seedless raisin made from a specific type of grape.
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