# Calcutta

/ˌkæɫˈkətə/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/calcutta
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. city in India

noun · CEFR A2

the former name of Kolkata, a very large city in eastern India.

For teachers: the former official name of Kolkata, the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal.

- My grandfather lived in Calcutta for many years before moving to London.
- Historical documents from the colonial era frequently refer to Calcutta as the commercial hub of the British Raj in India.

Usage: Now officially renamed Kolkata, though the older name persists in historical contexts and certain established institutions.

### 2. betting auction

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of auction where people bid on players or teams in a tournament to win money if they succeed.

For teachers: a form of auction sweepstake in which participants bid for the rights to a contestant, with the proceeds forming a prize pool.

- The golf club held a Calcutta before the annual tournament started.
- The organizers decided to host a Calcutta auction, allowing members to invest in the underdog teams at a significant discount.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of golf, horse racing, or backgammon tournaments.

## Examples

- Calcutta is a busy city in India.
- She flew to Calcutta to visit her grandmother.
- Calcutta remains a vital cultural hub, blending colonial architecture with vibrant modern life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.