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
1
A historic city in Mali, once a major centre of trade and Islamic scholarship.
"Ancient manuscripts are still preserved in Timbuktu."
2
Used figuratively for any extremely remote or hard-to-reach place.
"Now, my little pesky pets, you're going to travel first-class in your own private compartment all the way to Timbuktu. And this time, you'll never come back."
— The Aristocats (motion picture) (1970)
"He acted like the new office was out in Timbuktu."
"You can try every shop from here to Timbuktu, but you won't find another one like this."
How to use Timbuktu
Learner’s notesIn 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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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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