Search Dictionary
Definition of manila

manila

/məˈnɪl.ə/
ma · ni · la

Plural:manilas
JUMP TO:

manila Lexical Profile

manila Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Made of manila paper or manila hemp; characterized by a strong, durable, and unbleached quality.

Example

"She handed him a thick manila envelope containing the confidential legal documents."


2

Having the light yellowish-brown or buff color typical of unbleached manila paper.

Example

"The office walls were painted a dull manila color that made the room feel slightly dated."

• noun

1

The capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines, located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on the island of Luzon.

Example

"After landing in Manila, we spent three days exploring the historic walled area of Intramuros."


2

A strong, durable, light yellowish-brown paper originally made from manila hemp, now often made from unbleached wood pulp.

Example

"The teacher handed out sheets of heavy manila for the students to use in their art projects."


3

A strong fiber derived from the leaves of the abacá plant, native to the Philippines, traditionally used to make ropes, cables, and coarse paper.

Example

"The ship's heavy mooring lines were woven from pure manila to withstand the harsh marine environment."

Word Nuance & Usage

When referring to the capital city of the Philippines, it is capitalized ('Manila'); when referring to the paper, folder, or color, it is typically written in lowercase ('manila').

• Rhymes for manila

Word Origin & Etymology

Named after Manila, the capital of the Philippines (from Tagalog 'Maynila'). The city was a major historical exporter of abacá fiber ('Manila hemp'), which was widely used to manufacture strong paper, ropes, and envelopes.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Manila. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/manila
Wordmom is your complete guide to the English language. Whether you're looking up a definition, searching for the perfect synonym, or unscrambling letters for a word game, our comprehensive suite of tools is designed to help you find the right word, every time.
Dictionary & Reference
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE®, Words With Friends®, Wordle®, and related game titles or tournament codes are registered trademarks of their respective owners (including Hasbro, Mattel, Zynga, The New York Times, NASPA, and WESPA). Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes, not affiliated with, sponsored, or endorsed by these entities. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use for compatibility.