caribbean

IPA/ˌkær.ɪˈbiː.ən/

KK[kˌɛrɪbˈiən]IPA/ˌker.ɪˈbiː.ən/

caribbeanpositive
more caribbeancomparative
most caribbeansuperlative

1.adjectiveB1

Definition

coming from, found in, or connected with the group of islands between North and South America that form the region known as the Caribbean — including places such as Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad.

Example

The resort offers guided tours to several Caribbean islands for snorkelling and diving.

always before a noun: Caribbean + noun

My aunt moved to a small Caribbean nation after she retired from teaching.

collocation: Caribbean nation / islands

Common collocations

Caribbean islands
Caribbean Sea
Caribbean nation
Caribbean cuisine
Caribbean music
Caribbean culture
Caribbean coast

Synonyms

West Indian
more specific regional reference, usually to the islands of the West Indies rather than mainland coastal areas.

Grammar Patterns

Caribbean + noun

Usage Note

Always used attributively before a noun. Compare with noun sense 1 (the Caribbean as a region): you can visit 'Caribbean islands' (using the adjective) or 'the Caribbean' (using the noun).

Common Mistakes

She booked a trip to Caribbean.

She booked a trip to the Caribbean.

As an adjective, 'Caribbean' modifies a noun; as a standalone place name, use 'the Caribbean' (noun sense 1).

caribbeansingular
caribbeansplural

1.nounB1

Definition

the geographic and cultural area made up of the island nations scattered across the Caribbean Sea plus the nearby mainland coasts of Central and South America.

Example

Leila spent a year travelling around the Caribbean, visiting over a dozen different islands.

collocation: around / across / throughout the Caribbean

The Caribbean is known for its reggae music, carnival celebrations, and colourful architecture.

Common collocations

throughout the Caribbean
in the Caribbean
the Caribbean region
across the Caribbean
the Caribbean community

Synonyms

West Indies
more specific — refers only to the islands, not mainland Caribbean coasts.

Grammar Patterns

the Caribbean

Usage Note

The most common noun use. Always takes a definite article ('the Caribbean'). Compare with adjective sense 1: 'Caribbean food' (adj) vs 'the food of the Caribbean' (noun sense 1). This sense includes both islands and mainland coastal areas — for the sea only, see noun sense 2.

Common Mistakes

Caribbean is a popular tourist destination.

The Caribbean is a popular tourist destination.

Use 'the' before the region name.

2.nounB1

Definition

the warm ocean that lies between Central America to its west and South America to its south, with the Atlantic Ocean beyond the chain of islands to its north and east.

Example

The cruise ship crossed the Caribbean in three days, stopping at four different ports.

always 'the Caribbean' when referring to the sea

Warm currents in the Caribbean help keep the beaches of Cancun pleasant all year round.

Common collocations

across the Caribbean
the Caribbean Sea
in the Caribbean
Caribbean waters

Grammar Patterns

the Caribbean

Usage Note

Always takes a definite article ('the Caribbean'). When the full name 'the Caribbean Sea' is used, 'Sea' is capitalised. This sense refers only to the water body — for the land region, see noun sense 1.

Common Mistakes

We sailed across Caribbean last summer.

We sailed across the Caribbean last summer.

The definite article is required when referring to the sea.

3.nounB1

Definition

a person who comes from any of the islands or countries inside the Caribbean region, such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, or the Dominican Republic.

Example

My grandmother is a Caribbean who moved to Toronto in the 1970s.

The festival brought together Caribbean people from Jamaica, Haiti, and Trinidad.

plural: Caribbean people (groups of people from the region)

Common collocations

first-generation Caribbean
Caribbean community
Caribbean people

Synonyms

West Indian
specifically refers to people from the West Indies islands, not mainland Caribbean countries.

Grammar Patterns

a Caribbean

Caribbean people

Usage Note

Less common than the adjective form. When referring to a person of Caribbean heritage, speakers more often use a specific nationality (Jamaican, Cuban) or say 'Caribbean person.' The plural form 'Caribbean people' is more natural than the bare plural 'Caribbeans.'

Common Mistakes

She is a Caribbean person from Barbados.' (redundant — 'Caribbean' already tells you the region).

She is a Caribbean from Barbados.

'Caribbean' as a noun already means 'a person from the Caribbean.'

Word family

Carib
nounC1
Caribe
nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The Caribbean is the broadest term, covering all islands in the Caribbean Sea plus the coastal mainland areas of Central and South America. The West Indies is a narrower historical term referring specifically to the islands discovered by Columbus — the Bahamas, Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico), and Lesser Antilles. The Antilles is a geographic term that excludes the Bahamas; it distinguishes the Greater Antilles (the large northern islands) from the Lesser Antilles (the smaller eastern arc). In everyday contexts, the Caribbean is the most common and includes the widest area. For example, a visitor to Belize would say 'I travelled to the Caribbean' but would not say 'I travelled to the West Indies,' since Belize is on the Central American mainland.

the Caribbeanthe West Indiesthe Antilles

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

the Caribbean
Caribbean region
Caribbean islands
Caribbean Sea

Prepositions

Etymology

SpanishEnglish

The name comes from the Carib people, an indigenous group who lived in the Lesser Antilles when European explorers arrived in the 15th century. Spanish explorers called the area 'Caribe,' and later English speakers added the suffix '-ean' to form 'Caribbean.' The sea was named after the region, and the adjective developed alongside the noun.

First known use

1772

1772, in the meaning defined above

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caribbean

caribbean — adjective

1. coming from, found in, or connected with the group of islands between North and

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

caribbean — noun

1. the geographic and cultural area made up of the island nations scattered across

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. the warm ocean that lies between Central America to its west and South America t

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. a person who comes from any of the islands or countries inside the Caribbean reg

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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