Harlem

/ˈhɑːrləm/ noun

Definition

A neighborhood in northern Manhattan, New York City, historically known as a major center of African American culture and the Harlem Renaissance.

Etymology

Named after Haarlem, a city in the Dutch city of North Holland, when the Dutch controlled New Amsterdam in the 1600s. The Dutch settlers named the area after their hometown. The English later anglicized 'Haarlem' to 'Harlem' when they took control.

Kelly Says

Harlem became the epicenter of the Jazz Age and Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s-30s, producing legendary musicians like Duke Ellington and Bessie Smith. It's a neighborhood whose cultural impact spread worldwide, influencing music, literature, and art to this day.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.