# Isabella

/ˌɪzəˈbɛɫə/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. female name

noun · CEFR A1

a common female given name.

For teachers: a female given name of Hebrew origin, cognate with Elizabeth.

- Isabella was the most popular name for baby girls in the city last year.
- The historian noted that Queen Isabella I of Castile played a pivotal role in financing the voyages of Christopher Columbus.

### 2. a pale yellow-brown colour

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a very old word for a pale grey-yellow or cream-brown colour.

For teachers: a pale grey-yellow, fawn, or parchment colour. The term is largely obsolete in modern general-service English.

- The old book had pages that had turned a dusty isabella over the centuries.
- The naturalist described the bird's plumage as a subtle isabella, blending perfectly with the dried grasses of the autumn plains.

### 3. a type of grape

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of dark purple grape used for making wine or juice.

For teachers: a grape cultivar derived from the species Vitis labrusca, known for its dark skin and use in winemaking.

- They grow Isabella grapes in their garden to make homemade juice.
- The Isabella grape is particularly prized in certain regions for its hardiness and its distinctively sweet, musky aroma.

## Examples

- The old book had pages the color of isabella.
- The breeder noted that the puppy's coat was a rare isabella, a soft shade of tan that would lighten as it aged.
- The historical painting featured a queen dressed in heavy isabella silk, a choice of pigment that the restorer found difficult to replicate using modern synthetic dyes.

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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.