# manila

/məˈnɪɫə/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. city

noun · CEFR B1

the capital city of the Philippines.

For teachers: The capital city of the Philippines, located on the island of Luzon; often used figuratively to refer to the Philippine government.

- The flight from London to Manila takes about fourteen hours.
- Manila serves as the economic and political heart of the archipelago, anchoring the densely populated National Capital Region.

### 2. paper/fiber

noun · CEFR B2

a strong, light-brown paper or the fiber used to make it.

For teachers: A durable, buff-colored paper originally made from abaca (Manila hemp) fibers. Uncountable when referring to the material.

- The documents were delivered in a large envelope made of thick manila.
- The archive consists mostly of records stored in manila folders, which have held up remarkably well against the humidity over the decades.

### 3. color/material

adjective · CEFR B2

made of manila paper or having its light-brown color.

For teachers: Constructed from manila paper or characterized by a light yellowish-brown color. Usually non-gradable.

- Please put the application forms into the manila folders on my desk.
- The clerk handed me a manila envelope containing the legal contracts and asked for a signature on the final page.

## Examples

- Manila is a very crowded and lively city.
- The historic district of Intramuros in Manila contains many buildings from the Spanish colonial period.
- As a primary gateway to the archipelago, Manila represents a complex urban landscape where high-rise financial districts stand in stark contrast to densely populated residential areas.

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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.