manila
C1 (low frequency)Formal / Technical (paper context), Neutral (colour context)
Definition
Meaning
A type of strong, durable paper made from hemp or abaca fibre, typically light brown in colour and used historically for envelopes and folders.
Also refers to a light yellowish-brown colour reminiscent of the paper; also the capital city of the Philippines, but this proper noun is spelt with a capital 'M' (Manila).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In common usage, 'manila' (lowercase) is primarily associated with the paper product or the colour. It is a semi-technical term. The capital city is a separate, proper noun entry.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'manila' is standard in both varieties for the paper/colour. Usage frequency is similar, perhaps slightly higher in US English due to historical stationery contexts (e.g., 'manila envelope' or 'manila folder').
Connotations
Conveys a sense of old-fashioned office supplies, filing, and physical documentation. Neutral/slightly dated.
Frequency
Low in contemporary everyday speech, but recognized. More likely found in specific contexts like office supplies, archival descriptions, or craft discussions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
made of manilabound in manilaa manila [noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to specific stationery: 'Please file the contract in the manila folder.'
Academic
Used in historical/archival studies: 'The early manuscripts were preserved in manila wrappers.'
Everyday
Mostly recognised as a colour or a type of folder/envelope: 'I need a manila envelope for this application.'
Technical
In paper manufacturing: 'Manila is characterized by its high tensile strength derived from abaca fibres.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The archivist handed me a manila folder of correspondence.
- The parcel was tied with a length of manila rope.
American English
- She labelled the manila envelope 'Tax Documents'.
- We used manila tags to identify the samples.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher gave us a manila folder.
- I need to buy some manila envelopes from the shop.
- The original plans, bound in manila paper, were discovered in the attic.
- The durability of manila, derived from the abaca plant, made it the preferred medium for important legal documents in the colonial era.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **MAN**ila folder holding important **I-LA** (I love archives) documents.
Conceptual Metaphor
PHYSICAL ORGANISATION IS CONTAINMENT IN MANILA (e.g., 'get it in the manila folder' implies order).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as just 'конверт' (envelope) or 'папка' (folder), as it specifies the material/colour. Do not confuse with the city 'Манила' (Manila) in all contexts.
- The colour is a specific light brown/yellow, not просто 'коричневый' (brown).
Common Mistakes
- Capitalising it when referring to paper/colour (incorrect: 'Manila folder').
- Misspelling as 'manilla' (less common variant).
- Using it as a generic term for any brown folder.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'manila' primarily made from?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the paper or colour. Only the capital city of the Philippines, Manila, is capitalised.
Manila paper is typically made from abaca/hemp, is smoother and beige. Kraft paper is usually made from wood pulp, is stronger, rougher, and brown.
Yes, 'manila' describes a light tan or yellowish-brown colour, like that of the classic paper.
It is named after Manila, the capital of the Philippines, which was a major historical port for exporting abaca (Manila hemp) used to make the paper.