Caribbean
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to the islands or region of the Caribbean Sea, or to its inhabitants.
-
of or relating to the Carib people.
noun
-
the Caribbean Sea.
-
the Caribbean, the islands and countries of the Caribbean Sea collectively.
-
a native or inhabitant of a Caribbean country.
-
a Carib.
adjective
-
of, or relating to, the Caribbean Sea and its islands
-
of, or relating to, the Carib or any of their languages
noun
-
the states and islands of the Caribbean Sea, including the West Indies, when considered as a geopolitical region
-
short for the Caribbean Sea
-
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.
Flags from all over the Caribbean and Africa have been hung from the windows of the houses and are draped over the shoulders of people passing by.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
But her mother often asked, “Where are we?” and Molly explained repeatedly they were on a Caribbean cruise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
The swamp hen, known by its scientific name, Porphyrio martinica, is mostly found along the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean as well as parts of South America.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
The monarch, who was the Prince of Wales at the time, acknowledged the "appalling atrocity of slavery" the Caribbean island suffered during a speech he made.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
But I insisted, and so the thumping twangy bass noise resumed, and over it, a light baritone chanting in Caribbean patois to the rhythms of a nursery rhyme, or a playground skipping-rope jingle.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
