barbuda

IPA/bɑːbjˈuːdə/
KK[bɑrbˈudə]IPA/bɑːrbˈuːdə/

barbuda — noun

1. a small island in the Caribbean Sea that, together with the larger island of Ant

1.nounB1
Definition

a small island in the Caribbean Sea that, together with the larger island of Antigua, forms the independent country of Antigua and Barbuda. It covers about 62 square miles (161 square kilometres) and has a small population.

Example

Antigua and Barbuda became an independent nation in 1981, ending centuries of British rule.

proper noun in country name: Antigua and Barbuda

The ferry from Antigua to Barbuda takes about ninety minutes across the clear Caribbean water.

geographic context: from [place] to Barbuda

Common collocations
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • the island of Barbuda
  • Barbuda's beaches
  • Barbuda's population

Grammar Patterns

used as a proper noun in geographic descriptions

Usage Note

Always capitalised. Often appears as part of the compound country name 'Antigua and Barbuda'. The island's name is not usually preceded by an article ('the Barbuda' is incorrect).

Common Mistakes

I visited the Barbuda last summer.
I visited Barbuda last summer.
geographical names of individual islands do not take 'the'.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • the island of Barbuda
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Barbuda's coastline
  • Barbuda's beaches

Phrases

  • Antigua and Barbuda (country name)
  • the nation of Antigua and Barbuda

Prepositions

  • in Barbuda
  • of Barbuda
  • to Barbuda
  • from Barbuda

Etymology

SpanishEnglish

The name 'Barbuda' comes from Spanish 'barbuda', meaning 'bearded', likely referring to the island's bearded fig trees or the appearance of its coastline. The island was named by Spanish explorers during early colonial mapping of the Caribbean.