Mediterranean
meh-dih-tuh-RAY-neern
Mediterranean (adj) means relating to the Mediterranean Sea or the countries surrounding it. Example: “They followed a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, fish, and vegetables.”
adj
1
Relating to the Mediterranean Sea or the countries surrounding it.
"They followed a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, fish, and vegetables."
"The villa had a distinctly Mediterranean feel, with whitewashed walls and terracotta roofs."
How to use Mediterranean
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribing the sea between southern Europe and North Africa, or the climate, food, and culture associated with the region.
Common pairings
Mediterranean diet
Mediterranean climate
Mediterranean coast
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more Mediterranean
- Superlative
- most Mediterranean
Fill the gap
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They followed a _____ diet rich in olive oil, fish, and vegetables.
Etymology
From Latin mediterrāneus ("inland"), built from medius ("middle") and terra ("land").
Rhymes for Mediterranean
See all rhymes for Mediterranean →Frequently asked questions
What does “Mediterranean” mean?
The word “Mediterranean” means relating to the Mediterranean Sea or the countries surrounding it. In plain terms, describing the sea between southern Europe and North Africa, or the climate, food, and culture associated with the region.
How do you pronounce “Mediterranean”?
“Mediterranean” is pronounced meh-dih-tuh-RAY-neern (/ˌmɛdɪtəˈɹeɪnɪən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Mediterranean” in a sentence?
Here is “Mediterranean” used in a sentence: “They followed a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, fish, and vegetables.”
What part of speech is “Mediterranean”?
“Mediterranean” is an adjective.
Where does the word “Mediterranean” come from?
The word “Mediterranean” comes from Latin. From Latin mediterrāneus ("inland"), built from medius ("middle") and terra ("land").
Is “Mediterranean” a common word?
“Mediterranean” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is a Mediterranean climate?
A Mediterranean climate has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. It is named after the weather typical of the region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, though similar climates occur in other parts of the world.
Which countries are described as Mediterranean?
Mediterranean countries are those bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Italy, Greece, and Spain, along with others across southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
What is the Mediterranean diet?
The Mediterranean diet is an eating pattern based on the traditional foods of countries around the Mediterranean Sea. It emphasizes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, olive oil, and fish, with less red meat.
Is "Mediterranean" always capitalized?
Yes. "Mediterranean" is always written with a capital M because it derives from the proper name of the Mediterranean Sea and the region around it.
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