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Definition of mangaba
mangaba
/mæŋˈɡɑːbə/
man · ga · ba
Plural:mangabas
mangaba Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A small, edible tropical fruit native to Brazil, characterized by its soft, fleshy texture, yellowish-green skin with reddish spots, and a sweet, slightly acidic taste.
Example
"The local community gathered ripe mangabas to produce traditional juices, ice creams, and preserves."
2
The tropical tree (Hancornia speciosa) of the dogbane family that bears the mangaba fruit, native to the Cerrado and coastal regions of Brazil.
Example
"Conservationists are working to protect the native habitat of the mangaba, as agricultural expansion threatens the Cerrado biome."
• Rhymes for mangaba
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into English from Portuguese 'mangaba', derived from the Old Tupi word 'mãgaba', which translates roughly to 'good thing to eat'.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mangaba. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mangaba