matryoshka
Syllables: ma·try·osh·ka/ˌmætɹɪˈɒʃkə/US/ˌmɑtɹiˈoʊʃkə/
matryoshka noun: one of a set of wooden Russian dolls of different sizes, designed such that each fits inside the next.
Noun
matryoshka (plural matryoshkas or matryoshki)
- One of a set of wooden Russian dolls of different sizes, designed such that each fits inside the next.
- The past is not only a foreign country that we half knew existed; it is hiding another concealed country behind it, and behind that one, another, and another – like a set of Russian matryoshki, in which larger dolls conceal smaller.2011, Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms, Penguin, page 35
- Synonyms:
- babushka, babushka doll, matryoshka doll, Russian doll
Synonyms of matryoshka
Forms of matryoshka
| plural | matryoshkas |
|---|---|
| plural | matryoshki |
| alternative form | matreshka |
| alternative form | matrëshka |
| alternative form | matrioshka |
Origin of matryoshka
From Russian матрёшка (matrjóška), from personal name Матрёна (Matrjóna), formerly Матрона (Matrona), ultimately from Latin mātrōna (“matron”).
Words formed from matryoshka
Phrases with matryoshka
Questions about matryoshka
- What does matryoshka mean?
- Matryoshka means one of a set of wooden Russian dolls of different sizes, designed such that each fits inside the next.
- What part of speech is matryoshka?
- Matryoshka is a noun.
- How do you pronounce matryoshka?
- Matryoshka is pronounced /ˌmætɹɪˈɒʃkə/ (UK).
- What is the plural of matryoshka?
- The plural of matryoshka is matryoshkas.
Words near matryoshka in the dictionary
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: matryoshka (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
Last updated:
Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-matryoshka.wav.
Cite this entry: “matryoshka.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/matryoshka. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.