alhambra: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Cultural
Quick answer
What does “alhambra” mean?
A palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain, built during the Nasrid dynasty.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain, built during the Nasrid dynasty.
An artistic or architectural style inspired by the Moorish designs of the Alhambra; can be used as a proper noun for other places or businesses named after it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The pronunciation of the final 'a' varies slightly.
Connotations
Connotes history, Moorish Spain, intricate Islamic art, tourism, and cultural heritage equally in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, appearing mainly in historical, architectural, or travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “alhambra” in a Sentence
the Alhambra of [place name]the [adjective] AlhambraVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alhambra” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The tiles had an Alhambraesque intricacy.
American English
- The building featured Alhambra-style arches.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism or cultural heritage management.
Academic
Used in history, art history, and architectural studies.
Everyday
Mainly in travel discussions or general knowledge.
Technical
Used in architecture to describe a specific style (Moorish revival/Neo-Mudéjar).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alhambra”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alhambra”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alhambra”
- Misspelling as 'Alahambra' or 'Alhambara'.
- Using it with an indefinite article (e.g., 'an Alhambra'). It's a unique place, so 'the Alhambra' is standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the palace in Granada. When used adjectivally (e.g., Alhambra-style), the 'A' is still capitalised as it derives from a proper noun.
Not when referring to the original. You can say 'an Alhambra-like palace' or use it for a replica, e.g., 'There is an Alhambra theatre in Los Angeles.'
The name comes from the Arabic 'al-Ḥamrāʼ' (ٱلْحَمْرَاء), meaning 'the red one' or 'the red house', likely referring to the colour of its walls.
No, the 'h' is pronounced, but softly. The standard pronunciations are /ælˈhæm.brə/ (UK) and /ɑːlˈhɑːm.brə/ (US).
A palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain, built during the Nasrid dynasty.
Alhambra is usually formal, historical, cultural in register.
Alhambra: in British English it is pronounced /ælˈhæm.brə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɑːlˈhɑːm.brə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this proper noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ALL HAM' was carved in the beautiful BRAss of the Alhambra. (ALL-HAM-BRA).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ALHAMBRA IS A JEWEL: representing intricate beauty, historical wealth, and cultural fusion.
Practice
Quiz
The Alhambra is primarily associated with which historical culture in Spain?