Caribbean

[ kar-uh-bee-uhn, kuh-rib-ee- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the islands or region of the Caribbean Sea, or to its inhabitants.
2. of or relating to the Carib people.

noun

1. the Caribbean Sea.
2. the Caribbean, the islands and countries of the Caribbean Sea collectively.
3. a native or inhabitant of a Caribbean country.
4. a Carib.

Caribbean

/ kəˈrɪbɪən; ˌkærɪˈbiːən /

adjective

1. of, or relating to, the Caribbean Sea and its islands
2. of, or relating to, the Carib or any of their languages

noun

1. the Caribbean
   the states and islands of the Caribbean Sea, including the West Indies, when considered as a geopolitical region
2. short for the Caribbean Sea
3. a member of any of the peoples inhabiting the islands of the Caribbean Sea, such as a West Indian or a Carib

Usage Note

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 Words From

• in·ter-Car·ib·be·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Caribbean¹

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 ); cannibal ( def ), caribe ( def )

Example Sentences

It adds the decision creates an important legal precedent that can be used to challenge sodomy laws in other Caribbean countries.

From Washington Blade

Because it adapts particularly well to a wide range of climates, the fruit subsequently propagated throughout the Caribbean islands, the Yucatán Peninsula, and eventually into Central and South America.

From Popular-Science

Vanilla Orange was inspired by our love of Creamsicles and a drink very popular in the Caribbean, where I am from.

From Fortune

His students joked about the way he frequently arrived for class about 10 minutes late — some attributed it to his easygoing Caribbean demeanor.

From Washington Post

Clients have flooded the company with requests for big parties in Europe and the Caribbean, with some budgets topping $1 million.

From Fortune

When we had that meeting in the Caribbean, Jeffrey was holding his own and not only was he a pleasant host, he was pleasant guy.

From The Daily Beast

In a bizarre matchup, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor came for the 20-year-old singer this past July in Ibiza.

From The Daily Beast

And now Reggaeton is king in Cuba as it is in most of the Caribbean.

From The Daily Beast

They have pushed into just about every other corner of the Caribbean and Central America where airports exist.

From The Daily Beast

The founder of Pan Am, Juan Trippe, knew how business was done in the Caribbean.

From The Daily Beast

The island of Jamaica is so situated within the basin of the Caribbean that it does not feel the full influence of the trades.

From Project Gutenberg

They suggested at once the ancient inhabitants from whom the Caribbean Sea has taken its name.

From Project Gutenberg

In the sheltered Caribbean cove the water was warm as milk, green and clear as liquid beryl, and shot through with shimmering sun.

From Project Gutenberg

We started on our voyage, the Caribbean silent, like the savage that he was, paddled without uttering a word.

From Project Gutenberg

First his father ruined, then the whole family compelled to leave their home and drift on the Caribbean.

From Project Gutenberg