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Java

JAH-vuh
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Java (name) means a large island in Indonesia, home to the capital, Jakarta. Example: “They flew into Jakarta before heading south across Java.”

name
1
A large island in Indonesia, home to the capital, Jakarta.
"They flew into Jakarta before heading south across Java."
2
A widely used object-oriented programming language.
"The backend of the app was written in Java."
noun
1
Informal term for coffee.
"He grabbed a cup of java before the early meeting."

How to use Java

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsually either the Indonesian island, the programming language, or (informally, mainly American) a cup of coffee.

When to use it

"Java" for coffee is casual, mostly American slang.

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Word forms

Plural
Javas
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They flew into Jakarta before heading south across _____.

Etymology

The island name passed into English via Javanese, Franco-Italian, and Latin; the informal word for coffee comes from coffee historically grown on and shipped from Java, and the programming language borrowed the coffee name as a playful nod to its "Oak" origins.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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coffee joe brew

Related words

man brown coffee Joe tea beer Joseph chocolate

Rhymes for Java

Ava lava Cava Sava Nava guava brava slava cassava baklava balaclava Bratislava
See all rhymes for Java →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Java” mean?
The word “Java” means a large island in Indonesia, home to the capital, Jakarta. In plain terms, usually either the Indonesian island, the programming language, or (informally, mainly American) a cup of coffee.
How do you pronounce “Java”?
“Java” is pronounced JAH-vuh (/ˈd͡ʒɑːvə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Java” in a sentence?
Here is “Java” used in a sentence: “They flew into Jakarta before heading south across Java.”
What part of speech is “Java”?
Depending on how it is used, “Java” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Java” come from?
The word “Java” comes from Latin.
Is “Java” a common word?
“Java” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Java” have?
“Java” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large island in Indonesia, home to the capital, Jakarta.
Is Java the same as JavaScript?
No. Java is a widely used object-oriented programming language, while JavaScript is a separate language best known for making web pages interactive. Despite the similar names, the two languages have different designs and different typical uses, and the resemblance in naming is a frequent source of confusion for beginners.
Why is coffee called java?
The informal use of java to mean coffee is generally linked to the Indonesian island of Java, which became well known historically as a coffee-growing and coffee-exporting region. Over time the island's name came to stand for the drink itself, as in "a cup of java."
Where is the island of Java?
Java is a large island in Indonesia, in Southeast Asia. It is home to Jakarta, the country's capital, and is one of the most densely populated islands in the world.
Should java be capitalized when it means coffee?
When Java refers to the Indonesian island or the programming language, it takes a capital J because both are proper names. When it is used informally to mean coffee, it is normally written in lowercase, as in "grab some java."

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