albuquerque

IPA/ˈæl.bəˌkɜː.ki/
KK[ˈælbəkɚki]IPA/ˈæl.bəˌkɜ˞ː.ki/

albuquerque — noun

1. the biggest city in New Mexico, in the southwestern United States, known for its

1.nounC1
Definition

the biggest city in New Mexico, in the southwestern United States, known for its desert scenery, hot-air balloon festival, and Hispanic and Native American cultures.

Example

Zara flew to Albuquerque last October to watch the famous balloon festival.

proper noun: city + month + activity

The Garcia family drives from Albuquerque to Santa Fe every weekend for hiking.

city-to-city travel pattern

Common collocations
  • downtown Albuquerque
  • fly to Albuquerque
  • the city of Albuquerque
Synonyms
  • ABQ

    informal nickname used by locals and on luggage tags

  • Duke City

    traditional nickname, named after the Spanish Duke of Alburquerque

Grammar Patterns

used as a place name

Usage Note

Pronounced /ˌælbəˈkɜːrki/ — the middle 'r' is silent for many speakers, and the final '-que' sounds like 'kee'. Often shortened to 'ABQ' by locals.

Common Mistakes

Albuquerque is a state in America.
Albuquerque is a city in the state of New Mexico.
Albuquerque is a city, not a state.

Word family

  • Albuquerquean
    noun
  • Albuquerquean
    adjective

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Albuquerque airport
  • Albuquerque resident
  • Albuquerque skyline

Phrases

  • the city of Albuquerque
  • downtown Albuquerque
  • greater Albuquerque area

Prepositions

  • in Albuquerque
  • to Albuquerque
  • from Albuquerque
  • near Albuquerque

Etymology

LatinSpanishAmerican English

Named in 1706 by Spanish colonial governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdés in honour of the Duke of Alburquerque, then Viceroy of New Spain. The original Spanish town name 'Alburquerque' lost its first 'r' over time in English usage. The Spanish name itself traces back to a town in western Spain, possibly from Latin 'albus' (white) plus 'quercus' (oak).