noun Common

Indonesia

ihn-duh-NEE-zhuh

Indonesia (noun) means a large island nation in Southeast Asia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, with its capital at Jakarta. Example: “Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, including Java and Sumatra.”

noun

A large island nation in Southeast Asia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, with its capital at Jakarta.

"Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, including Java and Sumatra."

How to use Indonesia

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe island nation between the Indian and Pacific oceans, home to Java, Sumatra, Bali, and many more islands.

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “Indonesia” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ is made up of thousands of islands, including Java and Sumatra.

Etymology

Coined around 1850 by combining Greek Indos ("Indian") and nesos ("island") — literally "Indian islands."

Origin: Greek · First attested 1850

Class of 1850 Indonesia joined the language around 1850.

Bunsen capitalism goner opt shebang

See the full Class of 1850 →

Rhymes for Indonesia

IA Odia aria Asia India Syria Bahia mania Latvia acacia Zambia Russia

See all rhymes for Indonesia →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Indonesia” mean?

The word “Indonesia” means a large island nation in Southeast Asia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, with its capital at Jakarta. In plain terms, the island nation between the Indian and Pacific oceans, home to Java, Sumatra, Bali, and many more islands.

How do you pronounce “Indonesia”?

“Indonesia” is pronounced ihn-duh-NEE-zhuh (/ˌɪndəˈniʒə/ in IPA).

How do you use “Indonesia” in a sentence?

Here is “Indonesia” used in a sentence: “Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, including Java and Sumatra.”

What part of speech is “Indonesia”?

“Indonesia” is a noun.

Where does the word “Indonesia” come from?

The word “Indonesia” dates back to around 1850 and comes from Greek. Coined around 1850 by combining Greek Indos ("Indian") and nesos ("island") — literally "Indian islands.".

Is “Indonesia” a common word?

“Indonesia” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What continent is Indonesia part of?

Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia, so it lies within the continent of Asia. It is an island nation whose territory stretches across a large area between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Is Indonesia a single island or many islands?

Indonesia is made up of many islands, making it an archipelago rather than a single landmass. Officially the Republic of Indonesia, it is one of the largest island nations in the world.

What is the capital of Indonesia?

The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta. The country is officially known as the Republic of Indonesia.

What is the difference between "Indonesia" and "India"?

They are two separate countries whose names are sometimes confused. India is a large country in South Asia, while Indonesia is an island nation in Southeast Asia with its capital at Jakarta.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include Indonesia:

9 letter words Words that end with A Words that start with I The 5000 most common English words