Tuvalu

American  

[too-vuh-loo, too-vah-loo] / ˈtu vəˌlu, tuˈvɑ lu /

noun

1. a parliamentary state consisting of a group of islands in the central Pacific, south of the equator: a former British colony; gained independence 1978. 10 sq. mi. (26 sq. km). Funafuti.

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Tuvalu British  

/ ˌtuːvəˈluː /

noun

1. Former names: Lagoon Islands.   Ellice Islands.  a country in the SW Pacific, comprising a group of nine coral islands: established as a British protectorate in 1892. From 1915 until 1975 the islands formed part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands; achieved full independence in 1978; a member of the Commonwealth (formerly a special member not represented at all meetings, until 2000). Languages: English and Tuvaluan. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: Australian dollar; Tuvalu dollars are also used. Capital: Funafuti. Pop: 10 698 (2013 est). Area: 26 sq km (10 sq miles)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Tuvaluan
  adjective

Example Sentences

With a fragile economy and few natural resources, Tuvalu relies on a government trust fund to help foot the spiralling costs of the climate crisis.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

Investments in Woodside are particularly awkward for Tuvalu, which was scathing when Australia approved a 40-year extension for Woodside's North West Shelf gas project in 2025.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

To close that research gap, scientists examined data on 878 coastal fish representing 138 species caught by fishing communities around Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

From Science Daily • Feb. 3, 2026

North Korean smuggling networks have long exploited shipping registries in South Pacific nations such as Palau, Niue and Tuvalu.

From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025

The capital city of Tuvalu, a long-forgotten Olympic weight lifter, a fifteen-letter word for dervish: "Oh, that," he said.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris