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Definition of nantahala
nantahala
/ˌnæn.təˈheɪ.lə/
nan · ta · ha · la
nantahala Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• 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
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 Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nantahala