kola

IPA/kˈəʊlə/
IPA/kˈoʊlə/

kola — noun

1. the brown seed of a tropical tree, used to add a slightly bitter flavour to drin

1.nounB2
Definition

the brown seed of a tropical tree, used to add a slightly bitter flavour to drinks or chewed as a mild stimulant because it contains caffeine

Example

Kabir chewed a piece of kola nut during the morning ceremony.

chewed + kola nut (eating raw kola)

Adisa brought dried kola nuts to share with the village elders.

Common collocations
  • chew kola
  • dried kola
  • raw kola
  • kola extract
  • kola flavour
  • piece of kola
Synonyms
  • cola nut

    alternate spelling; more common in commercial contexts

  • guru nut

    regional name used in parts of West Africa

  • kola seed

    more botanical; less common in everyday speech

Usage Note

Frequently combined with 'nut' (kola nut). The word 'kola' alone can be uncountable (as a substance, e.g. kola extract) or countable (one nut).

Common Mistakes

I drank a glass of kola.
I drank a glass of cola.
The soft drink is usually spelled 'cola'; 'kola' normally refers to the nut or the tree.

2. a tall evergreen tree that grows in the tropical forests of West Africa, produci

2.nounB2
Definition

a tall evergreen tree that grows in the tropical forests of West Africa, producing large brown nuts that contain caffeine

Example

Kola trees grow best in the warm climate of West Africa.

kola trees grow in West Africa (origin)

The farmer planted kola trees along the edge of his land.

Common collocations
  • plant kola
  • grow kola
  • kola plantation
  • kola harvest
  • kola seedling
Synonyms
  • cola tree

    alternate spelling of the same tree

  • Cola acuminata

    scientific name of the most common species

  • Cola nitida

    scientific name of a related species also used for its nuts

Usage Note

The scientific names Cola acuminata and Cola nitida are the most common species referred to as kola trees. 'Kola' alone can stand for the tree when the context is clear.

Common Mistakes

Kola trees are found in Europe.
Kola trees are found in West Africa.
Kola trees grow only in tropical regions of Africa and are not native to Europe.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Kola nut is the most common everyday term for the seed, used across both botanical and cultural contexts. Cola nut is simply an alternative spelling that became widespread alongside the soft-drink industry; the two spellings are interchangeable in practice. Guru nut is a regional term found in parts of West Africa, especially Nigeria and Ghana, and carries a more traditional or ceremonial tone. Kola seed is a technical botanical term used in scientific writing but rarely heard in conversation. For everyday use, kola nut or cola nut are both natural; guru nut is appropriate when describing local customs in the regions where the term is used.

kola nutcola nutguru nut

Common collocations

Nouns

  • kola nut
  • kola tree
  • kola extract
  • kola flavour
  • kola plantation

Phrases

  • kola nut ceremony
  • kola nut trade

Prepositions

  • from kola
  • of kola

Etymology

West African languages (Manding / Temne)English

Kola entered English from West African languages, most likely Manding (kola, gola) or Temne (nkola), referring to the tree and its caffeine-rich nut. The spelling 'cola' became the standard commercial form after the soft drink Coca-Cola popularised the ingredient in the late 19th century, but 'kola' remains common in botanical and West African usage.