antilles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Geographic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “antilles” mean?
A group of islands forming the greater part of the West Indies, typically divided into the Greater Antilles (larger islands like Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico) and the Lesser Antilles (the smaller islands arc from the Virgin Islands south to Trinidad).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of islands forming the greater part of the West Indies, typically divided into the Greater Antilles (larger islands like Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico) and the Lesser Antilles (the smaller islands arc from the Virgin Islands south to Trinidad).
A geographical and cultural region in the Caribbean, often associated with a shared colonial history, Creole languages, and distinct ecosystems. In a broader context, it can refer metaphorically to island societies, tropical insularity, or a specific historical narrative of the colonial Atlantic world.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, as it is a proper geographical name. The term is more likely to be encountered in academic, historical, or travel contexts than in everyday conversation in either variety.
Connotations
Carries connotations of colonialism, tropical geography, biodiversity, and distinct cultural blends (African, European, Indigenous).
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both BrE and AmE. More common in written texts than spoken language.
Grammar
How to Use “antilles” in a Sentence
[The] Antilles + [verb] (e.g., The Antilles were colonized...)[Preposition] + the Antilles (e.g., in the Antilles, across the Antilles)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antilles” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Antillean ghost-faced bat is a species of particular concern.
- He studied Antillean plate tectonics.
American English
- Antillean mango is a vibrant hummingbird species.
- The research focused on Antillean colonial history.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in tourism ("Antilles cruise itineraries") or commodities ("Antilles sugar exports").
Academic
Common in geography, history, environmental studies, and post-colonial literature.
Everyday
Very rare. Most speakers would say 'the Caribbean'.
Technical
Used in geology (plate tectonics of the Antillean arc), biogeography (Antillean region), and meteorology (e.g., Antilles Current).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antilles”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antilles”
- Using 'Antilles' as a singular noun (incorrect: 'an Antille'; correct: 'an Antillean island').
- Confusing the Greater and Lesser Antilles.
- Misspelling as 'Antillies' or 'Antilas'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'West Indies' is a broader historical term that can include the Bahamas and sometimes mainland enclaves. 'Antilles' is a more precise geographical term for the island chain south and east of Florida.
It is plural and takes a plural verb (e.g., The Antilles are...). The singular form 'Antille' is not standard. The adjectival form is 'Antillean'.
It derives from a late medieval name, 'Antillia', a phantom island featured on 15th-century charts, likely of Portuguese or Spanish origin.
No, the Bahamas are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Greater Antilles and are not considered part of the Antillean group.
A group of islands forming the greater part of the West Indies, typically divided into the Greater Antilles (larger islands like Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico) and the Lesser Antilles (the smaller islands arc from the Virgin Islands south to Trinidad).
Antilles is usually formal / geographic / historical in register.
Antilles: in British English it is pronounced /ænˈtɪl.iːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ænˈtɪl.iːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From the Antilles to the Andes (suggesting a broad Caribbean/South American scope)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANT' + 'ISLES'. Imagine ants marching across a chain of tropical isles.
Conceptual Metaphor
ISLANDS AS FRAGMENTS / REMNANTS; The Antilles as a 'string of pearls' or a 'colonial chessboard'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following islands is NOT part of the Greater Antilles?