coastal
KOHS-tuhl
Coastal (adj) means Located on or relating to the coast. Example: “We walked along the coastal path and watched the waves crash against the rocks.”
adj
1
Located on or relating to the coast.
"We walked along the coastal path and watched the waves crash against the rocks."
"A coastal storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to the harbour."
"Coastal towns often rely on tourism and fishing."
"Another ANC splinter party, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), led by former President Jacob Zuma appears to be on course to do well in KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern coastal province where Durban is located."
— Sarah Dean and David McKenzie, First results in South Africa’s election suggest it is heading for biggest political shift since apartheid (2024)
How to use coastal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes anything near or related to the coastline.
Common pairings
coastal erosion
coastal town
coastal waters
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more coastal
- Superlative
- most coastal
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We walked along the _____ path and watched the waves crash against the rocks.
Etymology
Formed from coast plus the adjective suffix -al.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “coastal” mean?
The word “coastal” means located on or relating to the coast. In plain terms, describes anything near or related to the coastline.
How do you pronounce “coastal”?
“Coastal” is pronounced KOHS-tuhl (/ˈkoʊstəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “coastal” in a sentence?
Here is “coastal” used in a sentence: “Coastal towns often rely on tourism and fishing.”
What part of speech is “coastal”?
“Coastal” is an adjective.
Is “coastal” a common word?
“Coastal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between coastal and marine?
Coastal describes something located on or relating to the coast, the boundary between land and sea. Marine relates to the sea or ocean itself, so a coastal town sits on the shore while marine life lives in the water.
What is the difference between coastal and inland?
Coastal and inland are opposites. Coastal means near or on the coast, while inland means away from the sea, in the interior of a country.
What is the difference between coastal and littoral?
Both words refer to the area near the coast, but littoral is a more technical or scientific term used in geography and biology for the shore zone. Coastal is the everyday word.
Can 'coastal' be used as a noun?
No, coastal is an adjective, so it must describe a noun, as in 'coastal town' or 'coastal waters.' The related noun is 'coast.'
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