# sandalwood

/sˈændəlwˌʊd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sandalwood
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. the film industry

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

a nickname for the Kannada-language movie industry based in Bengaluru, India.

For teachers: a metonym for the Kannada cinema industry, following the naming convention of Hollywood and Bollywood.

- Many famous actors in Sandalwood started their careers in local theatre.
- Recent high-budget productions have significantly increased the global visibility of Sandalwood within the Indian film market.

Usage: Usually capitalized as a proper noun in this sense.

Teaching tip: This is a regional term used mostly in South Asia; learners should be aware of other 'wood' suffixes like Bollywood or Tollywood.

## Examples

- The room smelled like sandalwood after the incense burned.
- The artisan carved a beautiful chair from sandalwood, which released a subtle, woody scent as he worked.
- High-quality sandalwood is extremely dense and oily, making it resistant to decay and highly sought after for both decorative and spiritual applications across various cultures.

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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.