angkor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Historical, Travel/Tourism
Quick answer
What does “angkor” mean?
The historic site and former capital of the Khmer Empire in northwestern Cambodia, famous for its monumental Hindu and Buddhist temple complexes, most notably Angkor Wat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The historic site and former capital of the Khmer Empire in northwestern Cambodia, famous for its monumental Hindu and Buddhist temple complexes, most notably Angkor Wat.
A metonym for the Khmer civilization's architectural and cultural zenith; a symbol of ancient grandeur, historical depth, and sometimes religious artistry. May refer broadly to the region, the empire, or its legacy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Pronunciation may have a slightly more pronounced 'r' in rhotic American English.
Connotations
Identical connotations of ancient history, archaeology, and world heritage.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, primarily encountered in historical, archaeological, or travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “angkor” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun Subject] + [verb e.g., flourished, declined] + [temporal/locative adjunct]The + [noun e.g., ruins, temples, city] + of + AngkorAngkor + [noun e.g., Wat, Thom, period]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “angkor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The Angkor period saw incredible architectural innovation.
- She is an expert in Angkor epigraphy.
American English
- The museum has a fantastic Angkor-style sculpture.
- Angkor-era irrigation systems were highly advanced.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used in tourism/hospitality (e.g., 'Angkor tour packages').
Academic
Common in archaeology, history, art history, and Southeast Asian studies.
Everyday
Very rare. May be used when discussing travel or documentaries.
Technical
Specific to archaeology, heritage conservation, and epigraphy (study of inscriptions).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “angkor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “angkor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “angkor”
- Misspelling as 'Anchor'.
- Mispronouncing the 'g' as hard /g/ (it's /ŋ/).
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'an angkor').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Angkor refers to the entire historical region and capital city of the Khmer Empire. Angkor Wat is the specific, largest, and most famous temple complex within Angkor.
In British English, it's /ˈæŋkɔː/. In American English, it's /ˈæŋkɔːr/ or /ˈɑːŋkɔːr/. The first syllable rhymes with 'bang', and the 'g' is silent (it's the 'ng' sound).
Yes, attributively. For example, 'Angkor architecture', 'Angkor period', or 'Angkor-style carving' are all correct uses to describe things pertaining to that historical site and era.
Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage site of immense historical and cultural significance. It provides unparalleled insight into the Khmer Empire's power, religion (Hinduism and Buddhism), art, and sophisticated urban planning and engineering.
The historic site and former capital of the Khmer Empire in northwestern Cambodia, famous for its monumental Hindu and Buddhist temple complexes, most notably Angkor Wat.
Angkor is usually formal, academic, historical, travel/tourism in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word itself is culturally specific.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANGient KOREa'? No! It's in Cambodia. Better: 'An enormous, grand Khmer Ornamental Ruin.'
Conceptual Metaphor
Angkor is a STONE LIBRARY (holding historical records), a FADED GLORY (representing the rise and fall of empires), and a SPIRITUAL MAZE (complex, symbolic religious architecture).
Practice
Quiz
In which modern-day country is Angkor located?