Tenerife

Or Ten·er·iffe

[ten-uh-rif, -reef, te-ne-ree-fe]

noun

1. the largest of the Canary Islands, off the northwestern coast of Africa. 794 sq. mi. (2,055 sq. km). Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

2. Pico de Tenerife Pico de Teide.

Tenerife

/ teneˈrife, ˌtɛnəˈriːf /

noun

1. a Spanish island in the Atlantic, off the NW coast of Africa: the largest of the Canary Islands; volcanic and mountainous; tourism and agriculture. Capital: Santa Cruz. Pop: 778 071 (2002 est). Area: 2058 sq km (795 sq miles)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tenerife¹

First recorded in 1595–1600; from Guanche (an extinct Berber language spoken on the Canary Islands) tene, teni “mountain” + ife “white,” specifically Mount Teide ( def. )

Example Sentences

The mother of Jay Slater has said online trolls accused her of murdering her son during the height of a social media frenzy after he disappeared on holiday in Tenerife last summer.

From BBC

The first port of call is Santa Cruz de Tenerife and as the Avontuur approaches, the crew can hear the distant drums of the city's enormous carnival.

From BBC

The statement added he had been wanted for questioning after leaving for Tenerife in the early hours of 29 July following the incident.

From BBC

Jay Slater's death was accidental after he fell down a ravine in Tenerife, a coroner has concluded.

From BBC

The witness said he did not think his friend had any money on him, and taxis in Tenerife insisted on payment up front before carrying a fare.

From BBC