mekka: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, figurative, often journalistic or descriptive.
Quick answer
What does “mekka” mean?
A place or institution regarded as the spiritual or symbolic center of an activity, belief, or interest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place or institution regarded as the spiritual or symbolic center of an activity, belief, or interest; a major destination for enthusiasts or adherents.
A revered or highly influential hub where practitioners, followers, or devotees gather; often used metaphorically to denote an ultimate or aspirational destination within a particular field.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is broadly identical. Both varieties use the lowercase figurative form. The religious term is always 'Mecca'.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of ultimate destination, pilgrimage, or central importance within a niche.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in travel, culture, and lifestyle writing than in everyday spoken language.
Grammar
How to Use “mekka” in a Sentence
[Place] is a mecca for [group of people/enthusiasts][Place] has become a mecca for [activity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mekka” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The festival has turned the small town into a mecca for folk music lovers.
- For antique collectors, that street market is an absolute mecca.
American English
- Nashville is a mecca for country music musicians and fans.
- The craft brewery quickly became a local mecca for beer enthusiasts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Silicon Valley is considered the mecca of tech startups and venture capital.
Academic
The library's archive became a mecca for researchers studying medieval manuscripts.
Everyday
That new bakery is a mecca for anyone who loves sourdough bread.
Technical
The conference has become a mecca for developers working on open-source AI models.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mekka”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mekka”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mekka”
- Using it without 'for' (Incorrect: 'It is a mecca shoppers.' Correct: 'It is a mecca for shoppers.'). Overusing it for any popular place instead of one with a dedicated, almost reverential following.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. When referring specifically to the holy city in Saudi Arabia, it is always capitalized as 'Mecca'. In its common figurative sense (e.g., 'a mecca for tourists'), it is often but not always written in lowercase.
No, it is not standard. 'Mecca' refers to a place, institution, or event that serves as a central destination. For a person who is a central figure or inspiration, words like 'guru', 'luminary', or 'icon' are more appropriate.
The connotation of pilgrimage or being the ultimate, symbolic center for a specific group with a shared passion or interest. A shopping mall is popular; a specific boutique district known globally to fashion insiders is a 'mecca'.
It can be, but carefully. 'The mecca' is often used to single out the most prominent example (e.g., 'Paris is the mecca of fashion'). However, 'a mecca' is more common when not claiming独一无二 (unique) status. Using 'the' implies it is the foremost or definitive one.
A place or institution regarded as the spiritual or symbolic center of an activity, belief, or interest.
Mekka is usually informal, figurative, often journalistic or descriptive. in register.
Mekka: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛk.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛk.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a mecca for shopaholics/tourists/foodies”
- “the mecca of jazz/technology/mountaineering”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MECCA: My Excellent Central Cultural Attraction. It's the place everyone in a particular group is drawn to.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DESIRED DESTINATION IS A HOLY CITY. (e.g., 'a shopper's mecca' frames shopping as a pilgrimage and the store as a sacred destination).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'mecca' correctly?