NOLA

noun

ˈnō-lə 

informal

—used as a nickname for New Orleans

Jazz may have been born in NOLA at the turn of the century, but by the 1950s, the music of choice in New Orleans was rhythm & blues.

—B. Getz

After earning his degree from the Culinary Institute of New Orleans, [Chef Michael] Magee went on to work with top tier NOLA chefs including James Corwell, John Besh and Michael Gulotta.

—Lori Fredrich

Examples of NOLA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the table with Magnus, in the tower where Lestat was turned, are Nikki (Joseph Potter), NOLA Louis in his red suit, 2026’s Gabriella (Jennifer Ehle), Antoinette (Maura Grace Athari) in the tuxedo she was burned in, and TC (Sarah Swire). — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Various companies—like Soul of NOLA and Nola Tour Guy—offer unique private and custom experiences. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026

Mbaye, whose restaurant Dakar NOLA was also named one of Bon Appétit’s Best New Restaurants of 2023, told his story of coming back to America 18 years ago. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 June 2026

Local police say Woodson's ex-husband, Kody Woodson, 30, shot and killed her before turning the gun on himself in the nearby parking lot, according to NOLA. — Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Orleans + LA, abbreviation for Louisiana

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for NOLA

• bola
• cola
• colla
• gola
• hola
• mola
• ola
• schola
• sola
• ayatollah
• variola
• azolla