English Reference
Noun

manna

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US /ˈmænə/ UK /mˈænɐ/ man·na UK spelling mannas

n.a special food that fell from the sky to help people survive. In a modern way, it can also mean something that is very helpful or arrives just when you need it.

n.a miraculous food substance that fell from the sky to sustain the Israelites during their forty-year journey in the wilderness. In a secular context, it refers to any unexpected or highly beneficial resource or event.


SIMPLE

The rain was a manna for the thirsty travelers.

CONTEXTUAL

After weeks of searching for a job, the sudden offer felt like a manna from heaven.

COMPLEX

The discovery of the underground aquifer was a literal manna for the arid region, transforming a barren landscape into a thriving agricultural hub within a single decade.


From Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin manna, from Ancient Greek μάννα (mánna), from Hebrew מן (mān, “'manna”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin he מן
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Occasional
Updated