Caribbean
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English
Etymology
From Carib or Caribe, a people who lived in the West Indies, + -an.
Pronunciation
- 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
In British English, the pronunciation with penultimate stress is much more common; in American English, the two pronunciations are about equally common.
Adjective
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
The Bahamas are politically included as part of the Caribbean, but are geographically located outside the Caribbean Sea.
Translations
pertaining to the sea and region bounded by the American continent and the West Indies
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Noun
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
people from the Caribbean region
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Proper noun
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
Related terms
Translations
sea — see also Caribbean Sea
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countries
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