bombay: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical, Informal, Technical (for cat breed)
Quick answer
What does “bombay” mean?
A former name for the city of Mumbai, a major port and financial centre on the west coast of India.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A former name for the city of Mumbai, a major port and financial centre on the west coast of India.
An outdated colonial-era name for Mumbai; used historically and sometimes informally or in fixed phrases. Also, a breed of cat (Bombay cat) with a sleek black coat, named after the city.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage patterns are similar, as the name change is a matter of Indian history. Older generations in both regions may use 'Bombay' out of habit. No significant UK/US distinction.
Connotations
In both, using 'Bombay' can connote a colonial or historical perspective. 'Mumbai' is the modern, politically correct term. The cat breed is universally 'Bombay'.
Frequency
In contemporary news and formal writing, 'Mumbai' is vastly more frequent worldwide. 'Bombay' persists in historical discussions and specific brand names.
Grammar
How to Use “bombay” in a Sentence
of [Bombay] (e.g., the city of Bombay)in [Bombay] (e.g., lived in Bombay)from [Bombay]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bombay” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Bombay architectural style is a blend of influences.
- She owns a beautiful Bombay cat.
American English
- He prefers the taste of Bombay Sapphire gin.
- They adopted a playful Bombay kitten.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In 'Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)', a major financial institution whose official name retains the old term.
Academic
Used in historical, geographical, or colonial studies texts referring to the pre-1995 period.
Everyday
Older speakers might say 'I visited Bombay in the 80s.' Used for the cat breed or brand names (gin).
Technical
Primarily in felinology for the Bombay cat breed.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bombay”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bombay”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bombay”
- Using 'Bombay' in contemporary news-style writing. Example: 'The terrorists attacked Bombay.' (Incorrect; use 'Mumbai').
- Misspelling as 'Bomaby' or 'Bombbay'.
- Assuming 'Bombay' and 'Mumbai' refer to different cities.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's not 'wrong' in an absolute sense, but it is outdated and can be seen as disregarding the city's official name change. It's best to use 'Mumbai' in contemporary contexts, except for historical references or proper nouns (e.g., Bombay Stock Exchange).
The name was officially changed in 1995 to reflect the city's Marathi heritage, reclaiming the name derived from the goddess Mumbadevi and replacing the colonial Portuguese/English name 'Bombay'.
Yes, informally and in certain contexts. Many older residents and in casual conversation, 'Bombay' is still used. It's also retained in the names of many institutions and businesses.
It's not a duck at all, but a type of lizardfish (Harpadon nehereus) found in the waters around Mumbai. It is often dried and eaten as a crunchy accompaniment to meals.
A former name for the city of Mumbai, a major port and financial centre on the west coast of India.
Bombay is usually historical, informal, technical (for cat breed) in register.
Bombay: in British English it is pronounced /bɒmˈbeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɑːmˈbeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bombay mix (a savoury snack)”
- “Bombay duck (a type of lizardfish, often dried)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Bombay rhymes with 'okay,' but it's not okay to use it for modern Mumbai in formal contexts.
Conceptual Metaphor
A RELIC (of colonial history); A BRAND (in commercial names).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is it generally acceptable to use the name 'Bombay' today?