Bombay is the former official English name for Mumbai, a large coastal city in India. The word itself comes from the Portuguese “Bom Bahia,” meaning “good bay.”
Most people today use Mumbai in official and everyday speech, yet many still say Bombay when speaking English—especially in films, music, or nostalgic conversations. You’ll hear phrases like “I grew up in Bombay” or “Bombay street food is the best,” even though all government documents now use Mumbai.
Meaning & Usage Examples
- “I’m flying to Bombay next week.” (They’re heading to Mumbai.)
- “That old Bollywood song is pure Bombay vibe.” (It captures the city’s spirit.)
- “The Bombay sandwich is my favorite snack.” (A popular street-food item.)
Is Bombay still correct?
Officially, the city is Mumbai. Bombay is acceptable in casual English, especially among older speakers or in pop-culture references.
Why did the name change?
In 1995, the local government replaced colonial-era names with Marathi ones to reflect regional identity.
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