a strong paper or thin cardboard with a smooth light brown finish made from e.g. Manila hemp
"The important documents were neatly filed in manila folders before being sent to the archive."
the capital and largest city of the Philippines; located on southern Luzon
"Manila is the bustling capital city situated on the northern coast of Luzon island in the Philippines."
Venerupis philippinarum; a Pacific clam.
"The sailor carefully coiled the thick rope made of raw manila fiber around the mast."
Fiber made from abaca (Manila hemp), used to make ropes and manila paper.
In plain English: Manila is an old-fashioned name for a type of brown paper used to make folders and envelopes.
"She stored all her important papers in a sturdy manila envelope."
Of or pertaining to Manila, the capital of the Philippines; made in, or exported from, that city.
"The manila hemp rope was harvested and spun in the coastal regions surrounding the Philippine capital before being shipped abroad."
In plain English: Manila describes something made from or resembling the rough, tan-colored paper often used for folders and documents.
"The documents were stored in a manila envelope on my desk."
Usage: Use "manila" as an adjective before a noun when referring specifically to items originating from Manila, such as manila folders or manila envelopes. Avoid confusing this with the generic term for brown kraft paper unless you are explicitly describing its specific origin or material composition.
The capital city of the Philippines, located on the island of Luzon.
"Manila is a bustling metropolis and the capital city of the Philippines situated on the northern part of Luzon."
The word manila comes from the Spanish name for the Philippine city of Manila. That original name was derived from a Tagalog phrase meaning "place where indigo grows."