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islander

American  
[ahy-luhn-der] / ˈaɪ lən dər /

noun

  1. a native or inhabitant of an island.


islander British  
/ ˈaɪləndə /

noun

  1. a native or inhabitant of an island

  2. (capital) a native or inhabitant of the Pacific Islands

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of islander

First recorded in 1540–50; island + -er 1

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.

“It was dark yellow, sometimes black,” one islander told Robie.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

Throughout filming, all cast members have an appointed psychologist at the villa - and check ins can be initiated by an islander, as cast members are called on the series, or the doctor.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2025

I am not an islander but I am a proud Washingtonian who feels like our ferry system should be one of the top sources of state pride.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 1, 2023

The majority of those residents are of Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American or Pacific islander heritage, despite those groups only making up one-third of the overall county’s population, according to the complaint.

From Reuters • Apr. 19, 2023

I had a faint hope that the Captain, not being an islander, would take the heat as an excuse to slow down a bit.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson