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Barbados

bah-BAY-dos
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Barbados (name) means an island nation in the Caribbean, formerly a British colony. Example: “They spent their honeymoon on a beach in Barbados.”

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An island nation in the Caribbean, formerly a British colony.
"They spent their honeymoon on a beach in Barbados."

How to use Barbados

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA Caribbean island country known for its beaches and as the birthplace of the singer Rihanna.

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Word forms

Third person singular
Barbadoses
Past tense
Barbadosed
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They spent their honeymoon on a beach in _____.

Etymology

From Portuguese barbados ("bearded ones"), from barba ("beard") — supposedly describing the island's fig trees, whose long hanging roots looked like beards to early European sailors.

Origin: Portuguese

Frequently asked questions

What does “Barbados” mean?
The word “Barbados” means an island nation in the Caribbean, formerly a British colony. In plain terms, a Caribbean island country known for its beaches and as the birthplace of the singer Rihanna.
How do you pronounce “Barbados”?
“Barbados” is pronounced bah-BAY-dos (/bɑɹˈbeɪ.doʊs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Barbados” in a sentence?
Here is “Barbados” used in a sentence: “They spent their honeymoon on a beach in Barbados.”
What part of speech is “Barbados”?
“Barbados” is a name.
Where does the word “Barbados” come from?
The word “Barbados” comes from Portuguese. From Portuguese barbados ("bearded ones"), from barba ("beard") — supposedly describing the island's fig trees, whose long hanging roots looked like beards to early European sailors.
Is “Barbados” a common word?
“Barbados” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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