name
Uncommon
Greenland
GREEN-luhnd
Greenland (name) means a large, largely ice-covered self-governing territory of Denmark, located in North America. Example: “Most of Greenland's interior is covered by a massive ice sheet.”
name
1
A large, largely ice-covered self-governing territory of Denmark, located in North America.
"What’s been less well understood is how President Trump’s idle musing has added another chapter to the long history of Greenland and its people being viewed simply as a resource to be exploited by larger powers."
— Matthew H. Birkhold, A Brief History of the Indignities Heaped Upon Greenland (2019)
"Most of Greenland's interior is covered by a massive ice sheet."
How to use Greenland
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe world's largest island, mostly covered in ice, governed as an autonomous territory of Denmark.
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Most of _____'s interior is covered by a massive ice sheet.
Etymology
A calque of Old Norse Grǿnland ("green land"), from grǿnn ("green") plus land.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Greenland” mean?
The word “Greenland” means a large, largely ice-covered self-governing territory of Denmark, located in North America. In plain terms, the world's largest island, mostly covered in ice, governed as an autonomous territory of Denmark.
How do you pronounce “Greenland”?
“Greenland” is pronounced GREEN-luhnd (/ˈɡɹiːn.lənd/ in IPA).
How do you use “Greenland” in a sentence?
Here is “Greenland” used in a sentence: “Most of Greenland's interior is covered by a massive ice sheet.”
What part of speech is “Greenland”?
“Greenland” is a name.
Where does the word “Greenland” come from?
The word “Greenland” comes from Old Norse. A calque of Old Norse Grǿnland ("green land"), from grǿnn ("green") plus land.
Is “Greenland” a common word?
“Greenland” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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