Is Timbuktu a real place or just an expression?

It is a real city in Mali, and it is also used as an expression for a faraway place.

Is Timbuktu formal or informal?

It is usually informal or playful in everyday English.

Can I use Timbuktu in business writing?

Usually not, unless you want a light, creative tone.

What is the difference between Timbuktu and remote?

Remote is neutral and factual. Timbuktu sounds more vivid and exaggerated.

← Dictionary

timbuktu

/ˌtɪm.bʊkˈtuː/

IELTSAcademic

noun

Timbuktu is a city in Mali, in West Africa. It is famous for its history as a trade and learning center. In modern English, people also use it to mean a faraway or hard-to-find place.

He said the village was in Timbuktu.
For many people, this job was like Timbuktu.
The office feels like Timbuktu in winter.

Adinary Nuance

Timbuktu is not the same as simply saying "far away." It adds a sense of remoteness, mystery, or exaggeration. Writers choose it when they want a playful, colorful way to describe an out-of-the-way place.

In other languages

Vietnamese: Timbuktu
Spanish: Tombuctú
Chinese: 廷巴克图
Japanese: トンブクトゥ
Korean: 팀북투

Etymology

The name comes from a real town in Mali. English has used it since the 17th century, often as a symbol of a very remote place.

Common phrases

as far away as Timbuktulike Timbuktuin Timbuktu

Synonyms

back of beyond boondocks nowhere

Related words

remote distant isolated mali

Frequently asked questions

Is Timbuktu a real place or just an expression?: It is a real city in Mali, and it is also used as an expression for a faraway place.
Is Timbuktu formal or informal?: It is usually informal or playful in everyday English.
Can I use Timbuktu in business writing?: Usually not, unless you want a light, creative tone.
What is the difference between Timbuktu and remote?: Remote is neutral and factual. Timbuktu sounds more vivid and exaggerated.