Belize

IPA/bɛlˈiːz/
KK[bɛlˈiz]IPA/bɛlˈiːz/

Belize — noun

1. an independent nation on the Caribbean side of Central America.

1.noun
Definition

an independent nation on the Caribbean side of Central America.

Example

Elena spent two weeks in Belize diving near a coral reef.

travel phrase: in Belize

Dimitri stepped off the bus in Belize and bought mangoes at a market.

travel scene: in Belize

Common collocations
  • in Belize
  • to Belize
  • from Belize
  • the coast of Belize

Grammar Patterns

used as a country name

Usage Note

Usually appears with prepositions such as 'in', 'to', and 'from' in travel or geography contexts. As a proper noun, it is capitalized and normally does not take 'the'.

Common Mistakes

We flew to the Belize last summer.
We flew to Belize last summer.
country names like this normally do not take 'the'.
belize is in South America.
Belize is in Central America.
the country is part of Central America.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • the Belize coast
  • Belize map
  • Belize travel

Phrases

  • the country of Belize
  • the coast of Belize

Prepositions

  • in Belize
  • to Belize
  • from Belize

Etymology

SpanishEnglish

English uses Belize as the modern name of the country and earlier used it for the river and the former British territory. The deeper origin of the name is uncertain, but it is generally linked to older local or Spanish forms that were already in use before the country became independent.