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Definition of nantahala

nantahala

/ˌnæn.təˈheɪ.lə/
nan · ta · ha · la
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nantahala Lexical Profile

• noun

1

American A mountainous region and expansive national forest situated in the southwestern part of North Carolina, encompassing high-elevation peaks, waterfalls, and dense woodlands.

Example

"We spent the weekend backpacking through the old-growth timber and scenic overlooks of the Nantahala."

2

American A river in western North Carolina in the United States, famous for its deep gorge and as a popular destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking.

• Rhymes for nantahala

• Nearby Words

nanostructure
nanostructured
nanotech
nantahala
nantahala falls
nantes
nap

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Cherokee word 'Nundayeli' or 'Nandako', meaning 'land of the noonday sun', referring to the region's deep mountain gorges where sunlight only reaches the valley floor during the middle of the day.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nantahala. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nantahala
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