peninsula
6 synonyms for peninsula, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A stretch of land that juts out into the sea or a lake, connected to the mainland on one side.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use peninsula
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a narrow peninsula
the tip of the peninsula
a peninsula jutting into the sea
Etymology
From Latin paene ("almost") plus insula ("island") — literally an "almost-island."
Full origin of peninsula →Frequently asked questions
What does “peninsula” mean?
The word “peninsula” means a stretch of land that juts out into the sea or a lake, connected to the mainland on one side. In plain terms, a piece of land almost surrounded by water, still attached to a larger landmass.
How do you pronounce “peninsula”?
“Peninsula” is pronounced puh-NIHN-syuh-luh (/pəˈnɪn.sə.lə/ in IPA).
How do you use “peninsula” in a sentence?
Here is “peninsula” used in a sentence: “Florida is a peninsula bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.”
What part of speech is “peninsula”?
“Peninsula” is a noun.
Where does the word “peninsula” come from?
The word “peninsula” comes from Latin. From Latin paene ("almost") plus insula ("island") — literally an "almost-island.".
Is “peninsula” a common word?
“Peninsula” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between a peninsula and an island?
An island is completely surrounded by water. A peninsula is surrounded by water on most sides but stays connected to the mainland on one side, so it can be reached without crossing water.
What is the difference between a peninsula and an isthmus?
A peninsula is a stretch of land that juts out into the sea or a lake and is joined to the mainland on one side. An isthmus is a narrow neck of land that connects two larger landmasses, such as the Isthmus of Panama.
Is it peninsula or peninsular?
Peninsula is the noun, as in "the Iberian Peninsula," while peninsular is the adjective, as in "peninsular Spain." Writing "a peninsular" for the landform itself is a common spelling mistake.
What are some famous examples of peninsulas?
Well-known peninsulas include the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), the Italian Peninsula, the Korean Peninsula, the Arabian Peninsula, and Florida in the United States. Each juts out into the sea while remaining attached to a larger landmass.
