Caribbean
Americanadjective
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of or relating to the islands or region of the Caribbean Sea, or to its inhabitants.
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of or relating to the Carib people.
noun
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the Caribbean Sea.
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the Caribbean, the islands and countries of the Caribbean Sea collectively.
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a native or inhabitant of a Caribbean country.
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a Carib.
adjective
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of, or relating to, the Caribbean Sea and its islands
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of, or relating to, the Carib or any of their languages
noun
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the states and islands of the Caribbean Sea, including the West Indies, when considered as a geopolitical region
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short for the Caribbean Sea
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a member of any of the peoples inhabiting the islands of the Caribbean Sea, such as a West Indian or a Carib
Usage
Caribbean is used as a plural noun (a candidate favored by Caribbeans ), but it's relatively rare as a singular noun (the candidate who is a Caribbean ).
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Caribbean
First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin Carib(b)aeus, adjective formed from New Latin plural noun Caribes, from Spanish and Portuguese singular noun caribe Carib ( def. ); see also cannibal ( def. ), caribe ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"This is the first year without hurricanes" in the Mexican Caribbean, said chef Roberto Solis.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
Royal Caribbean plans to take a 50% stake in Sandals, a move that gives the cruise line access to wealthier customers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
Orélien, who immigrated to Montreal after the Haiti earthquake in 2010, said in his statement that his style draws from Haiti and the Caribbean “where poetry, images, repetition and rhythm carry a living message.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
The move will make Royal Caribbean a bigger player in the broader vacation market and allow both companies to help travelers discover new destinations, management said in the announcement.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
Wes was intensely attracted to this short woman with a broad smile who mixed a steel backbone with Caribbean charm.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
