name
Very common
Europe
YRUHP
Europe (name) means the continent bordered by the Atlantic to the west, Asia to the east (roughly along the Urals), and the Mediterranean to the south. Example: “They spent the summer backpacking around Europe.”
name
1
The continent bordered by the Atlantic to the west, Asia to the east (roughly along the Urals), and the Mediterranean to the south.
"They spent the summer backpacking around Europe."
"Europe has dozens of distinct languages packed into a relatively small area."
2
Short for the European Union as a political and economic bloc.
"The new trade rules were set by Europe, not by individual governments."
"Europe imposed fresh sanctions on the regime."
How to use Europe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe continent, or loosely, the European Union as a political body.
Common mistake
"Europe" the continent and "Europe" meaning the EU are not the same thing — the UK, Switzerland, and Norway are in Europe but not the EU.
Common pairings
mainland Europe
Eastern Europe
across Europe
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Word forms
- Plural
- Europes
Fill the gap
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They spent the summer backpacking around _____.
Etymology
From Latin Eurōpa, borrowed from Greek Eurṓpē — originally the name of a princess in Greek myth carried off by Zeus.
Synonyms
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the Old Continent
the Continent
EU
EEC
EC
Related words
Rhymes for Europe
See all rhymes for Europe →Frequently asked questions
What does “Europe” mean?
The word “Europe” means the continent bordered by the Atlantic to the west, Asia to the east (roughly along the Urals), and the Mediterranean to the south. In plain terms, the continent, or loosely, the European Union as a political body.
How do you pronounce “Europe”?
“Europe” is pronounced YRUHP (/ˈjʊɚ.əp/ in IPA).
How do you use “Europe” in a sentence?
Here is “Europe” used in a sentence: “They spent the summer backpacking around Europe.”
What part of speech is “Europe”?
“Europe” is a name.
Where does the word “Europe” come from?
The word “Europe” comes from Latin. From Latin Eurōpa, borrowed from Greek Eurṓpē — originally the name of a princess in Greek myth carried off by Zeus.
Is “Europe” a common word?
“Europe” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Europe” have?
“Europe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the continent bordered by the Atlantic to the west, Asia to the east (roughly along the Urals), and the Mediterranean to the south.
What is the difference between Europe and the European Union?
Europe is a continent, a large landmass made up of many separate countries. The European Union is a political and economic partnership of some of those countries, currently 27 of them. Not every European country is in the EU, and the EU is an organisation you can join or leave, whereas the continent is fixed geography.
How many countries are in Europe?
There are roughly 44 to 51 countries in Europe, depending on how the count is made. The number varies because some states, such as Russia and Turkey, sit across both Europe and Asia, and a few territories are only partly recognised. Most standard lists settle somewhere in the mid-40s.
What is the largest country in Europe?
Russia is the largest country in Europe by area, though most of its territory actually lies in Asia. Counting only nations that sit entirely within Europe, Ukraine is the largest. By population, Russia again leads, followed by countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
Is Europe a country or a continent?
Europe is a continent, not a country. It is a single landmass divided into many independent nations, each with its own government and, in most cases, its own language and currency. People sometimes talk about Europe as one place because its countries share close history, trade, and, for many, EU membership.
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