What does "manna" mean?
Food miraculously produced for the Israelites in the desert in the book of Exodus.
Manna
/ˈmænə/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Food miraculously produced for the Israelites in the desert in the book of Exodus.
- Grammar: manna is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: ambrosia, benefaction, benefit, benevolence.
- Useful contrasts: hunger, inedible, starvation.
- Usage evidence: The money came like manna from heaven.
How to use "manna"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "manna" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "manna" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "manna" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "manna" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "manna" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ambrosia" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "manna", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Food miraculously produced for the Israelites in the desert in the book of Exodus. countable, uncountable
"And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat."
- 2 (Old Testament) food that God gave the Israelites during the Exodus wordnet
- 3 Any boon which comes into one's hands by good luck. broadly, countable, uncountable
"Fair ladies, you drop manna in the way / Of starved people."
- 4 hardened sugary exudation of various trees wordnet
- 5 The sugary sap of the manna gum tree which oozes out from holes drilled by insects and falls to the ground around the tree. countable, uncountable
"1966, Bill Beatty, Tales of Old Australia, National Distributors, →ISBN, page 14, discussing old Australian foods The icing on the cake was made from manna, which was gathered under the manna gums. Manna mixed with milk made a splendid icing."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname from Italian.
- 2 A surname from Bengali.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The money came like manna from heaven."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "manna"?
Common synonyms include: ambrosia, benefaction, benefit, benevolence, blessing, bonne bouche.
How do you use "manna" in a sentence?
The money came like manna from heaven.
How do you pronounce "manna"?
Pronounced /ˈmænə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin manna, from Ancient Greek μάννα (mánna), from Hebrew מן (mān, “'manna”).
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Italian Manna. Possible etymologies include the feminine form of Manno, or a nickname or metonym based on manna (sense 1).
Etymology 3
Borrowed from Bengali [script needed] (Manna), a name used by the Mahishya agrarian caste.