cibola: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2historical, literary, academic
Quick answer
What does “cibola” mean?
A legendary city or group of cities, rumoured to be fabulously wealthy, sought by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legendary city or group of cities, rumoured to be fabulously wealthy, sought by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
A mythical place of great wealth; an elusive or legendary goal. Often used metaphorically for an unattainable or illusory objective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical, with no regional variation in meaning or spelling. The term is predominantly used in historical contexts.
Connotations
Historical exploration, myth, unattainable wealth, colonial ambition, disappointment.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialized historical or literary discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “cibola” in a Sentence
the legend of [Cibola]the search for [Cibola][Cibola] was said to be...they sought [Cibola]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could metaphorically describe a futile business target or 'unicorn' investment.
Academic
Used in history, American studies, and literature courses discussing Spanish colonialism and exploration myths.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used as a proper noun in historical cartography and archaeology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cibola”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cibola”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cibola”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a cibola').
- Confusing it with 'Cebu' or 'Siberia'.
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'c' (/k/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it was a legendary place. The searches for it led explorers to real places like the Zuni Pueblos, but no fabulous wealth was found.
Metaphorically, it represents an elusive goal or a tempting but ultimately unattainable reward.
The most famous expedition was led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado between 1540 and 1542.
It follows English phonetic adaptation of the Spanish pronunciation of the word, which is believed to derive from a Zuni word.
A legendary city or group of cities, rumoured to be fabulously wealthy, sought by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
Cibola is usually historical, literary, academic in register.
Cibola: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈbəʊlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɪˈboʊlə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a Cibola of the mind”
- “chasing Cibola”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SEE BOWL of gold? No, it's CIBOLA – a city of legend, not a real bowl of treasure.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DESTINATION IS A PRIZE; AN AMBITION IS A QUEST.
Practice
Quiz
What is Cibola most accurately described as?