name

Timbuktu

tihm-buhk-TOO

Timbuktu (name) means a historic city in Mali, once a major centre of trade and Islamic scholarship. Example: “Ancient manuscripts are still preserved in Timbuktu.”

name

A historic city in Mali, once a major centre of trade and Islamic scholarship.

"Ancient manuscripts are still preserved in Timbuktu."

Used figuratively for any extremely remote or hard-to-reach place.

"He acted like the new office was out in Timbuktu."

How to use Timbuktu

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA real city in Mali, famously used in English as a byword for "somewhere impossibly far away".

Common mistake

Many English speakers use it only as a joke for "nowhere" without realising it's a real, historically important city.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Ancient manuscripts are still preserved in _____.

Etymology

Unclear. See Timbuktu § Toponymy.

Frequently asked questions

What does “Timbuktu” mean?

The word “Timbuktu” means a historic city in Mali, once a major centre of trade and Islamic scholarship. In plain terms, a real city in Mali, famously used in English as a byword for "somewhere impossibly far away".

How do you pronounce “Timbuktu”?

“Timbuktu” is pronounced tihm-buhk-TOO (/tɪm.bʌkˈtuː/ in IPA).

How do you use “Timbuktu” in a sentence?

Here is “Timbuktu” used in a sentence: “Ancient manuscripts are still preserved in Timbuktu.”

What part of speech is “Timbuktu”?

“Timbuktu” is a name.

How many meanings does “Timbuktu” have?

“Timbuktu” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a historic city in Mali, once a major centre of trade and Islamic scholarship.

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