name
Common
Syria
SIH-ree-uh
Syria (name) means a country in West Asia, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, with its capital at Damascus. Example: “Millions of people were displaced by the war in Syria.”
name
1
A country in West Asia, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, with its capital at Damascus.
"Representatives of the Syrian National Council and the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria signed an agreement late Friday in Cairo for a transition in a post-Assad era, the NCB said on its Facebook page."
— , Syrian opposition group: More than 5,800 died in 2011 (2011)
"Millions of people were displaced by the war in Syria."
2
A historical region of the Levant that once extended well beyond the borders of the modern country.
"Ancient Syria included territory now split among several modern nations."
How to use Syria
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA country in the Middle East, and also the name of the wider historical region it takes its name from.
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Etymology
From Latin Syria, from Ancient Greek Suria, likely a shortened form of "Assyria," though the two names came to refer to different regions over time.
Synonyms
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Syrian Arab Republic
Rhymes for Syria
See all rhymes for Syria →Frequently asked questions
What does “Syria” mean?
The word “Syria” means a country in West Asia, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, with its capital at Damascus. In plain terms, a country in the Middle East, and also the name of the wider historical region it takes its name from.
How do you pronounce “Syria”?
“Syria” is pronounced SIH-ree-uh (/ˈsɪɹi.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Syria” in a sentence?
Here is “Syria” used in a sentence: “Millions of people were displaced by the war in Syria.”
What part of speech is “Syria”?
“Syria” is a name.
Where does the word “Syria” come from?
The word “Syria” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin Syria, from Ancient Greek Suria, likely a shortened form of "Assyria," though the two names came to refer to different regions over time.
Is “Syria” a common word?
“Syria” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Syria” have?
“Syria” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a country in West Asia, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, with its capital at Damascus.
Where is Syria located?
Syria is in West Asia, at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, Israel and Lebanon to the southwest, with a coastline on the Mediterranean. It sits within the region historically known as the Levant.
What is the capital of Syria?
The capital of Syria is Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It has served as a major cultural, political, and religious centre for thousands of years and remains the seat of the Syrian government and the country's largest political hub.
What is Syria's official name?
Syria's official name is the Syrian Arab Republic. "Syria" is the common short form used in everyday speech and on maps, while the full official title appears in formal, diplomatic, and legal contexts. The country lies in West Asia with Damascus as its capital.
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