guadeloupe

IPA/ˌɡwɑː.dəˈluːp/
KK[ɡwˌɑdəlˈup]IPA/ˌɡwɑː.dəˈluːp/

guadeloupe — noun

1. a French-governed island group in the eastern Caribbean Sea, lying north of Domi

1.nounB2
Definition

a French-governed island group in the eastern Caribbean Sea, lying north of Dominica and southeast of Puerto Rico, composed of two main islands shaped like a butterfly

Example

Wei spent two weeks in Guadeloupe last winter hiking through the rainforest on Basse-Terre.

preposition 'in' for location

The ferry from Guadeloupe to the neighbouring islands runs every morning at seven.

Common collocations
  • in Guadeloupe
  • to Guadeloupe
  • from Guadeloupe
  • visit Guadeloupe
  • live in Guadeloupe

Grammar Patterns

go to / live in / visit + Guadeloupe

Usage Note

Guadeloupe is a proper noun and does not take an article ('the Guadeloupe') except in set phrases such as 'the islands of Guadeloupe'.

Common Mistakes

I went to the Guadeloupe for vacation.
I went to Guadeloupe for vacation.
place names do not take 'the' unless the name itself contains it (the United States, the Philippines).
Guadeloupe is a Islands in Caribbean.
Guadeloupe is a group of islands in the Caribbean.
countable noun agreement requires 'islands' and an article.

2. an overseas department and region of France in the Lesser Antilles, made up of t

2.nounB2
Definition

an overseas department and region of France in the Lesser Antilles, made up of the main islands Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre together with several smaller islands, with its administrative seat at Basse-Terre city

Example

As a French overseas department, Guadeloupe uses the euro and elects members of parliament.

departmental status and political rights

Mira learned that Basse-Terre, not Pointe-à-Pitre, is the capital of Guadeloupe.

Common collocations
  • overseas department of Guadeloupe
  • the capital of Guadeloupe
  • the government of Guadeloupe
  • people of Guadeloupe
Synonyms
  • French West Indies

    broader region that includes Guadeloupe, Martinique, and other French islands; less specific than Guadeloupe alone

Grammar Patterns

the capital of / the people of / the government of + Guadeloupe

Usage Note

This sense emphasises Guadeloupe's legal and political status as an integral part of France, not merely a colony or territory. Its administrative codes, currency (euro), and education system are identical to those of mainland France.

Common Mistakes

Guadeloupe is an independent country.
Guadeloupe is an overseas department of France, not an independent nation.
Guadeloupe is part of France, not a sovereign state.

Word family

  • Guadeloupean
    adjectiveC1
  • Guadeloupean
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Guadeloupe and Martinique are both French overseas departments in the Caribbean, but Guadeloupe lies north of Dominica while Martinique sits south of it. 'French West Indies' is a broader term covering all French-governed islands in the region, including both departments plus smaller islands such as Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin. 'Caribbean islands' is the widest of the four, referring to any island in the Caribbean Sea regardless of language or government. For example, a traveller might say 'I visited the French West Indies last year' (meaning several French islands) but would need to specify 'I spent most of my time in Guadeloupe' to name the particular island group.

Guadeloupe ↗Martinique ↗French West IndiesCaribbean islands

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • overseas department of
  • go to
  • live in
  • fly to
  • travel to
  • the people of
  • the capital of

Prepositions

Etymology

SpanishFrenchEnglish

The name Guadeloupe comes from the Spanish 'Santa María de Guadalupe', the name of a famous monastery in Extremadura, Spain. Christopher Columbus named the island after this religious site when he arrived in 1493. Over time, the full name was shortened to just 'Guadalupe', and the spelling gradually shifted to 'Guadeloupe' under French influence after France took control of the islands in the 17th century.