Xanadu
Xanadu (noun) means an imagined place of exceptional beauty, luxury, and wonder. Example: “The resort felt like a private Xanadu, all white sand and quiet luxury.”
How to use Xanadu
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dreamlike, magnificent place — real or imagined — associated with luxury and wonder.
Word forms
Xanadus plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The resort felt like a private _____, all white sand and quiet luxury.
Etymology
From the real Xanadu, the Yuan dynasty's summer capital in Mongolia, romanized via Marco Polo's travels; the word became a byword for splendor after Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 1797 poem "Kubla Khan" ("In Xanadu did Kubla Khan / A stately pleasure-dome decree").
Frequently asked questions
What does “Xanadu” mean?
The word “Xanadu” means an imagined place of exceptional beauty, luxury, and wonder. In plain terms, a dreamlike, magnificent place — real or imagined — associated with luxury and wonder.
How do you pronounce “Xanadu”?
“Xanadu” is pronounced ZA-nuh-doo (/ˈzænəduː/ in IPA).
How do you use “Xanadu” in a sentence?
Here is “Xanadu” used in a sentence: “The resort felt like a private Xanadu, all white sand and quiet luxury.”
What part of speech is “Xanadu”?
“Xanadu” is a noun.
Where does the word “Xanadu” come from?
The word “Xanadu” dates back to around 1797.
How many meanings does “Xanadu” have?
“Xanadu” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an imagined place of exceptional beauty, luxury, and wonder.
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