mainland
0 antonyms and opposites of mainland, grouped by meaning.
Noun — The main continuous landmass of a country or region, as opposed to its islands.
How to use mainland
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English mayne londe, equivalent to main + land.
Full origin of mainland →Frequently asked questions
What does “mainland” mean?
The word “mainland” means the main continuous landmass of a country or region, as opposed to its islands. In plain terms, the primary land area of a country, distinguished from any smaller islands that belong to it.
How do you pronounce “mainland”?
“Mainland” is pronounced MAYN-land (/ˈmeɪnlənd/ in IPA).
How do you use “mainland” in a sentence?
Here is “mainland” used in a sentence: “They took a ferry from the island back to the mainland.”
What part of speech is “mainland”?
“Mainland” is a noun.
Where does the word “mainland” come from?
The word “mainland” comes from Middle English. From Middle English mayne londe, equivalent to main + land.
Is “mainland” a common word?
“Mainland” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "mainland" and "island"?
The "mainland" is the main continuous landmass of a country or region, while an "island" is a smaller piece of land surrounded by water and separate from it. People often speak of travelling "to the mainland" from an island.
What is the difference between "mainland" and "continent"?
A "continent" is one of Earth's large landmasses, such as Africa or Asia, while "mainland" is relative, referring to the principal landmass of a particular country or region as opposed to its offshore islands. A country's mainland is not necessarily a whole continent.
Should "mainland" be capitalised, as in "mainland China"?
"Mainland" is usually written in lowercase as a common noun, even in phrases such as "mainland China" or "mainland Europe," where it describes the landmass rather than forming part of an official name.
What are common collocations with "mainland"?
"Mainland" frequently appears in phrases such as "mainland Europe," "mainland China," "mainland Britain," and simply "the mainland," typically contrasting the main landmass with nearby islands.