noun
atoll
A-tol
Atoll (noun) means a ring-shaped coral island or string of islands surrounding a central lagoon. Example: “The plane landed on a tiny atoll in the Maldives.”
noun
1
A ring-shaped coral island or string of islands surrounding a central lagoon.
"The plane landed on a tiny atoll in the Maldives."
How to use atoll
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA ring of coral reef or islands with a lagoon in the middle, typical of Pacific and Indian Ocean islands.
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Word forms
- Plural
- atolls
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The plane landed on a tiny _____ in the Maldives.
Etymology
Borrowed from Portuguese atol, from the Dhivehi word atoḷu, the language of the Maldives.
Frequently asked questions
What does “atoll” mean?
The word “atoll” means a ring-shaped coral island or string of islands surrounding a central lagoon. In plain terms, a ring of coral reef or islands with a lagoon in the middle, typical of Pacific and Indian Ocean islands.
How do you pronounce “atoll”?
“Atoll” is pronounced A-tol (/ˈætɔl/ in IPA).
How do you use “atoll” in a sentence?
Here is “atoll” used in a sentence: “The plane landed on a tiny atoll in the Maldives.”
What part of speech is “atoll”?
“Atoll” is a noun.
Where does the word “atoll” come from?
The word “atoll” comes from Portuguese. Borrowed from Portuguese atol, from the Dhivehi word atoḷu, the language of the Maldives.
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