name
Uncommon
Madagascar
ma-duh-GAS-kuh
Madagascar (name) means a large island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, known for its unique wildlife. Example: “Most of the lemur species on Earth live only in Madagascar.”
name
1
A large island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, known for its unique wildlife.
"Most of the lemur species on Earth live only in Madagascar."
How to use Madagascar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe island country famous for its lemurs and rainforests, off Africa's east coast.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Madagascars
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Most of the lemur species on Earth live only in _____.
Etymology
Borrowed via French from a name recorded by Marco Polo, likely a garbled version of an Arabic place name originally referring to a different location entirely.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Madagascar” mean?
The word “Madagascar” means a large island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, known for its unique wildlife. In plain terms, the island country famous for its lemurs and rainforests, off Africa's east coast.
How do you pronounce “Madagascar”?
“Madagascar” is pronounced ma-duh-GAS-kuh (/mædəˈɡæskɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Madagascar” in a sentence?
Here is “Madagascar” used in a sentence: “Most of the lemur species on Earth live only in Madagascar.”
What part of speech is “Madagascar”?
“Madagascar” is a name.
Where does the word “Madagascar” come from?
The word “Madagascar” comes from French. Borrowed via French from a name recorded by Marco Polo, likely a garbled version of an Arabic place name originally referring to a different location entirely.
Is “Madagascar” a common word?
“Madagascar” is an uncommon word in modern English.
