noun
Sumatra
soo-MAHT-ruh
Sumatra (noun) means a large island in western Indonesia, one of the biggest islands in the world. Example: “They flew from Jakarta to Sumatra to see the rainforest.”
noun
1
A large island in western Indonesia, one of the biggest islands in the world.
"They flew from Jakarta to Sumatra to see the rainforest."
2
A violent squall or rainstorm blowing from the south, named after the island.
"Ships in the strait had to watch for sudden sumatras."
How to use Sumatra
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe Indonesian island, or a sudden violent storm named for it.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Sumatra.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Sumatras
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They flew from Jakarta to _____ to see the rainforest.
Etymology
From Portuguese Sumatra, ultimately from Sanskrit samudra, "sea," via Malay and Arabic.
Rhymes for Sumatra
See all rhymes for Sumatra →Frequently asked questions
What does “Sumatra” mean?
The word “Sumatra” means a large island in western Indonesia, one of the biggest islands in the world. In plain terms, the Indonesian island, or a sudden violent storm named for it.
How do you pronounce “Sumatra”?
“Sumatra” is pronounced soo-MAHT-ruh (/suːˈmɑːtɹə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Sumatra” in a sentence?
Here is “Sumatra” used in a sentence: “They flew from Jakarta to Sumatra to see the rainforest.”
What part of speech is “Sumatra”?
“Sumatra” is a noun.
Where does the word “Sumatra” come from?
The word “Sumatra” comes from Portuguese. From Portuguese Sumatra, ultimately from Sanskrit samudra, "sea," via Malay and Arabic.
How many meanings does “Sumatra” have?
“Sumatra” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large island in western Indonesia, one of the biggest islands in the world.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Sumatra:
