Caribbean
English edit
Etymology edit
From Carib or Caribe, a people who lived in the West Indies, + -an.
Pronunciation edit
- IPA(key): /ˌkæɹɪˈbiːən/, /kəˈɹɪbiən/ (note the difference in stress)
(Mary–marry–merry distinction, penultimate stress)Audio (US) (file)
(Mary–marry–merry merger, penultimate stress)Audio (US) (file)
(antepenultimate stress)Audio (US) (file) - Rhymes: -iːən
Usage notes edit
In British English, the pronunciation with penultimate stress is much more common; in American English, the two pronunciations are about equally common.
Adjective edit
Caribbean (not comparable)
- Pertaining to the sea and region of the western Atlantic bounded by South America, Central America, and the islands of the West Indies (such as Cuba and Hispaniola).
Usage notes edit
The Bahamas are politically included as part of the Caribbean, but are geographically located outside the Caribbean Sea.
Translations edit
pertaining to the sea and region bounded by the American continent and the West Indies
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Noun edit
Caribbean (plural Caribbeans)
- (countable) A person native to the Caribbean region
- (countable) A member of the Amerindian tribes that inhabited the Caribbean region before the arrival of the Europeans
Translations edit
people from the Caribbean region
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Proper noun edit
the Caribbean
- The Caribbean Sea
- The countries that occupy the region of the western Atlantic bounded by South America, Central America, and the islands of the West Indies (such as Cuba, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas)
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
sea — see also Caribbean Sea
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countries
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