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.
The Lions' T20s in the Caribbean are followed by five one-day matches, with the squad for that series captained by Test batter Dan Lawrence.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
The Caribbean image is also a reminder of the challenges facing low-lying islands and coastal communities as global sea levels continue to rise.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026
His assignment: to foment an uprising by enslaved workers on a French colony in the Caribbean.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
In January, a Dutch court also cited the opinion when it ordered the Netherlands to strengthen its climate plan in a case brought by residents of the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
Rodents and other small mammals domesticated for food included the rabbit in Europe, the guinea pig in the Andes, a giant rat in West Africa, and possibly a rodent called the hutia on Caribbean islands.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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