name
Common
Cyprus
SEYE-pruhs
Cyprus (name) means an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriot administration; capital Nicosia. Example: “They spent their honeymoon on a beach in Cyprus.”
name
1
An island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriot administration; capital Nicosia.
"They spent their honeymoon on a beach in Cyprus."
noun
1
A thin, semi-transparent black fabric once used for mourning veils.
"Victorian widows sometimes wore veils made of cyprus."
How to use Cyprus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually the Mediterranean island country; rarely, an old name for a thin black mourning fabric.
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They spent their honeymoon on a beach in _____.
Etymology
From Latin Cyprus, from Greek Kupros, the ancient name of the island — also the source of the word "copper," which the Romans mined there.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Cyprus” mean?
The word “Cyprus” means an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriot administration; capital Nicosia. In plain terms, usually the Mediterranean island country; rarely, an old name for a thin black mourning fabric.
How do you pronounce “Cyprus”?
“Cyprus” is pronounced SEYE-pruhs (/ˈsaɪ.pɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Cyprus” in a sentence?
Here is “Cyprus” used in a sentence: “They spent their honeymoon on a beach in Cyprus.”
What part of speech is “Cyprus”?
Depending on how it is used, “Cyprus” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Cyprus” come from?
The word “Cyprus” comes from Latin. From Latin Cyprus, from Greek Kupros, the ancient name of the island — also the source of the word "copper," which the Romans mined there.
Is “Cyprus” a common word?
“Cyprus” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Cyprus” have?
“Cyprus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriot administration; capital Nicosia.
Is Cyprus part of Greece or Turkey?
Cyprus is an independent island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea; it is not part of Greece or Turkey, though it is divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriot administration. Its capital is Nicosia.
What is the capital of Cyprus?
The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia.
Why is Cyprus divided?
Cyprus is divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriot administration, reflecting the island's split political control between the two communities.
What does 'cyprus' mean as a common noun?
As a lowercase common noun, cyprus refers to a thin, semi-transparent black fabric once used for mourning veils, a historical usage distinct from the country name.
