amazonas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal (geographical, political, scientific), Informal (brand name, metaphorical use)
Quick answer
What does “amazonas” mean?
A proper noun referring to the vast Amazon rainforest region in South America and the Amazon River flowing through it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to the vast Amazon rainforest region in South America and the Amazon River flowing through it.
Can also refer to the Brazilian state of Amazonas or be used as a brand name (e.g., Amazon Web Services). Metaphorically, it can denote something vast, impenetrable, or teeming with life.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both refer to the same geographical entity. Spelling conventions are identical.
Connotations
In both dialects, it primarily connotes the rainforest/river. American English may have a slightly stronger immediate association with the 'Amazon.com' brand.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in geographical/ecological contexts. The brand 'Amazon' (without the '-as') is extremely high-frequency in both.
Grammar
How to Use “amazonas” in a Sentence
[PREP] in the Amazonas[PREP] of the Amazonas[VERB] the AmazonasVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amazonas” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This programme will amazonas the competition. (rare, metaphorical)
American English
- The start-up aims to amazonas the industry. (rare, metaphorical)
adjective
British English
- The Amazonas ecosystem is unparalleled.
American English
- They conducted an Amazonas biodiversity survey.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Our new data centre is located in the São Paulo region, not Amazonas."
Academic
"The hydrology of the Amazonas is critical to global climate patterns."
Everyday
"We saw a documentary about the wildlife in the Amazonas."
Technical
"Satellite imagery shows increased biomass loss in Amazonas State."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amazonas”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “amazonas”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amazonas”
- Using lower case ('amazonas'), Confusing it with the common noun 'amazon'.
- Mispronouncing with stress on the first syllable: /'æm.ə.zəʊ.nəs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. 'Amazonas' is often the name used in a more formal or local context, especially for the Brazilian state, while 'The Amazon' is the more common English name for the river and rainforest.
In British English: /ˌæm.əˈzəʊ.nəs/. In American English: /ˌæm.əˈzoʊ.nəs/. The stress is on the third syllable.
No, it is a proper noun and should be capitalised. The common noun is 'amazon' (lowercase), referring to a female warrior or a large, strong woman.
The most frequent error is confusing the geographical 'Amazonas' with the retail company 'Amazon'. They are distinct entities, though the company's name was inspired by the river.
A proper noun referring to the vast Amazon rainforest region in South America and the Amazon River flowing through it.
Amazonas is usually formal (geographical, political, scientific), informal (brand name, metaphorical use) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A can of worms the size of the Amazonas (informal, hyperbolic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A-MAZE-of-ness' – a maze of incredible natural complexity.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE AMAZONAS IS A LUNG (of the planet); THE AMAZONAS IS A TREASURE CHEST (of biodiversity).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most precise meaning of 'Amazonas' in standard English?