Mediterranean
Mediterranean — noun
1. the stretch of salt water that separates Europe from Africa and reaches eastward
the stretch of salt water that separates Europe from Africa and reaches eastward to Asia, connecting to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Every summer, the Watanabe family sails across the Mediterranean on their boat.
the + proper noun as a place name
The Mediterranean is known for its warm, clear water and sandy beaches.
describing the sea's characteristics
Ships travelling from Asia to Europe often cross the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.
Ancient traders used the Mediterranean as a highway for moving goods between three continents.
Eleni looked out from the cliff and watched the sun set over the Mediterranean.
- Mediterranean Sea
the full formal name, used in more technical or geographic writing
文法句型
the + [proper noun]
用法筆記
Always capitalised and usually used with 'the' — 'the Mediterranean' refers specifically to this body of water. Do not confuse with 'the Mediterranean region' (noun sense 2).
常見錯誤
2. the countries and lands that border the Mediterranean Sea, considered together a
the countries and lands that border the Mediterranean Sea, considered together as one area.
Brooke is planning a trip around the Mediterranean that includes Spain, Greece, and Turkey.
listing countries in the region
Olive trees have been grown all across the Mediterranean for thousands of years.
The Mediterranean produces a large share of the world's wine and citrus fruits.
Summer temperatures in the Mediterranean can reach over thirty-five degrees Celsius.
Many birds spend winter in the warmer parts of the Mediterranean before flying north.
- Mediterranean region
more explicit, avoids ambiguity with the sea
- Mediterranean basin
more formal and technical term for the area around the sea
文法句型
the + [proper noun] for a region
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (the sea body itself). When context mentions countries, farming, or climate, sense 2 is intended. Also distinct from the adjective, which directly modifies a noun.
常見錯誤
Mediterranean — adjective
1. connected with the nations and cultures along the Mediterranean coastline, inclu
connected with the nations and cultures along the Mediterranean coastline, including their food, weather, building styles, and way of life.
The Mediterranean climate has hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
collocation: Mediterranean climate
Ignacio ordered a Mediterranean salad with olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
collocation: Mediterranean salad / Mediterranean food/cuisine
Hoa loves cooking with olive oil and fresh herbs, just like Mediterranean chefs do.
The hotel used traditional Mediterranean style — white walls and bright blue window frames.
Daichi attended a conference on Mediterranean history at the university in Barcelona.
- southern European
narrower — only covers the European side, not North Africa or the Levant
文法句型
Mediterranean + noun
用法筆記
Always capitalised as a proper adjective. Commonly pairs with nouns describing climate, cuisine, architecture, culture, and history. There is no lower-case sense in modern learner English (the technical 'mediterranean' meaning landlocked is obsolete outside specialist geography).