atoll
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.”
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.
Word Forms
atolls plural
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.
Featured In
Vocabulary lists that include atoll: