# manna

/ˈmænə/ (US) · /mˈænɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/manna
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The rain was a manna for the thirsty travelers.
- After weeks of searching for a job, the sudden offer felt like a manna from heaven.
- 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.

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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.