adjective
Common
Caribbean
ka-rih-BEE-uhn
Caribbean (adjective) means relating to the Caribbean Sea and the islands and coasts around it. Example: “They went on a Caribbean cruise for their anniversary.”
adjective
1
Relating to the Caribbean Sea and the islands and coasts around it.
"They went on a Caribbean cruise for their anniversary."
"Caribbean cuisine blends African, European, and indigenous influences."
noun
1
A person from the Caribbean region.
"Many Caribbeans emigrated to the UK in the mid-20th century."
How to use Caribbean
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to the sea, islands, and countries of the Caribbean region.
Common pairings
Caribbean Sea
Caribbean islands
Caribbean culture
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Word forms
- Plural
- Caribbeans
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They went on a _____ cruise for their anniversary.
Etymology
Named after the Carib people, an indigenous group of the West Indies, plus -an.
Synonyms
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west indian
antillean
Related words
Rhymes for Caribbean
See all rhymes for Caribbean →Frequently asked questions
What does “Caribbean” mean?
The word “Caribbean” means relating to the Caribbean Sea and the islands and coasts around it. In plain terms, relating to the sea, islands, and countries of the Caribbean region.
How do you pronounce “Caribbean”?
“Caribbean” is pronounced ka-rih-BEE-uhn (/ˌkæɹɪˈbiːən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Caribbean” in a sentence?
Here is “Caribbean” used in a sentence: “They went on a Caribbean cruise for their anniversary.”
What part of speech is “Caribbean”?
Depending on how it is used, “Caribbean” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “Caribbean” a common word?
“Caribbean” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Caribbean” have?
“Caribbean” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the Caribbean Sea and the islands and coasts around it.
Is "Caribbean" an adjective or a noun?
"Caribbean" can be both. As an adjective it relates to the Caribbean Sea and its surrounding islands and coasts, as in "Caribbean music"; as a noun it can mean a person from the Caribbean region, or, with "the," the region itself.
What is the difference between "Caribbean" and "West Indian"?
"Caribbean" relates broadly to the Caribbean Sea and the islands and coasts around it, while "West Indian" refers more specifically to the island nations of that region, historically called the West Indies. The terms overlap, but "Caribbean" also takes in mainland coasts, whereas "West Indian" centres on the islands.
Is "Caribbean" always capitalised?
Yes. Because "Caribbean" derives from a proper name — the Caribbean Sea and region — it is always written with a capital C, whether used as an adjective or a noun.
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