name
Common
Switzerland
SWIHT-suh-luhnd
Switzerland (name) means a landlocked country in Western and Central Europe, known for its neutrality, mountains, and banking industry. Example: “They spent a week hiking in the mountains of Switzerland.”
name
1
A landlocked country in Western and Central Europe, known for its neutrality, mountains, and banking industry.
"They spent a week hiking in the mountains of Switzerland."
noun
1
A neutral party that refuses to take sides in a dispute (used informally, by extension from the country's political neutrality).
"I’m not getting involved in this argument. I’m Switzerland."
"I'm staying out of this argument — I'm Switzerland on this one."
How to use Switzerland
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe European country, or, informally, someone who stays neutral in an argument.
Common pairings
Swiss neutrality
I'm Switzerland on this
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Etymology
Formed from Switzer (an old word for a Swiss person) plus -land, adapted from German Schwytzerland in the 1500s.
Class of 1500
Switzerland joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Switzerland
See all rhymes for Switzerland →Frequently asked questions
What does “Switzerland” mean?
The word “Switzerland” means a landlocked country in Western and Central Europe, known for its neutrality, mountains, and banking industry. In plain terms, the European country, or, informally, someone who stays neutral in an argument.
How do you pronounce “Switzerland”?
“Switzerland” is pronounced SWIHT-suh-luhnd (/ˈswɪtsɚlənd/ in IPA).
How do you use “Switzerland” in a sentence?
Here is “Switzerland” used in a sentence: “They spent a week hiking in the mountains of Switzerland.”
What part of speech is “Switzerland”?
Depending on how it is used, “Switzerland” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Switzerland” come from?
The word “Switzerland” dates back to around 1500 and comes from German. Formed from Switzer (an old word for a Swiss person) plus -land, adapted from German Schwytzerland in the 1500s.
Is “Switzerland” a common word?
“Switzerland” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Switzerland” have?
“Switzerland” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a landlocked country in Western and Central Europe, known for its neutrality, mountains, and banking industry.
Why is a neutral person sometimes called 'Switzerland'?
The usage comes from the country's long-standing political neutrality. Informally, calling someone 'Switzerland' means they refuse to take sides in a dispute or conflict.
What is Switzerland best known for?
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Western and Central Europe known for its neutrality, its mountains, and its banking industry. These associations also give rise to the informal use of 'Switzerland' to mean a neutral party.
What is the difference between Switzerland and Sweden?
They are two separate European countries often confused because of their similar names. Switzerland is a landlocked country in Western and Central Europe, while Sweden is a Nordic country in Northern Europe.
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