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name Uncommon

Barbados

bah-BAY-dos

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.

Word forms

Barbadosed past tense, Barbadoses singular

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Fill the gap

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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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