Kyle

The word “Kyle” means a narrow stretch of sea between an island and the mainland, or between two islands — a term used mainly in Scotland. In plain terms, as a common noun, a narrow sea channel; far more often encountered today as a popular given name.

“Kyle” is pronounced kyl (/kaɪl/ in IPA).

Here is “Kyle” used in a sentence: “The ferry crossed the kyle in under ten minutes.”

Depending on how it is used, “Kyle” can be a noun and a name.

The word “Kyle” comes from Scottish Gaelic. From Scottish Gaelic caol, meaning "narrows" or "strait," referring to a narrow channel of water.

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

“Kyle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a narrow stretch of sea between an island and the mainland, or between two islands — a term used mainly in Scotland.

Both describe a narrow stretch of water, but "kyle" is a regional term used mainly in Scotland, often for a channel between an island and the mainland. "Strait" is the standard, more widely used word for a narrow passage of sea joining two larger bodies of water.

"Kyle" is used chiefly in Scotland, where it appears in place names such as Kyle of Lochalsh. It refers to a narrow sea channel between an island and the mainland or between two islands.

As a given name, "Kyle" comes from a Scottish surname, which in turn derives from a Gaelic word for a narrow sea channel. It is used as a male or unisex first name.

A "kyle" is a narrow channel of sea, a term local to Scotland. A "sound" is also a stretch of water, but it is usually wider and often refers to a large sea inlet or a passage separating an island from the mainland.