cape of good hope: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Geographical
Quick answer
What does “cape of good hope” mean?
A rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa, historically significant as a landmark for sea voyages between Europe and the East.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa, historically significant as a landmark for sea voyages between Europe and the East.
A geographical and historical symbol representing the southern tip of Africa, the discovery of a sea route to Asia, and nautical challenges. It is often used metaphorically to denote a difficult but promising turning point or a critical geographical landmark.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or spelling. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, it strongly connotes the Age of Exploration, maritime history, and the European discovery of sea routes.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in historical, geographical, or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cape of good hope” in a Sentence
[Ship/Explorer] + verb (sailed/rounded) + the Cape of Good HopeThe Cape of Good Hope + verb (is located/marks) + [prepositional phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in historical context of trade routes (e.g., 'the spice trade around the Cape of Good Hope').
Academic
Common in historical, geographical, and maritime studies texts.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in trivia, travel documentaries, or general knowledge.
Technical
Used in navigation, historical geography, and cartography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cape of good hope”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cape of good hope”
- Incorrect capitalization ('cape of good hope').
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a cape of good hope' instead of 'the Cape of Good Hope').
- Confusing it with the nearby Cape Point.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not. Cape Agulhas, approximately 150 kilometres to the east-southeast, is the southernmost point of the African continent.
It was named 'Cabo da Boa Esperança' (Cape of Good Hope) by King John II of Portugal after Bartolomeu Dias's successful navigation in 1488, reflecting the hope of reaching India by sea.
Yes, though it's somewhat literary. It can metaphorically represent a difficult but crucial turning point that offers promise for the future.
In historical and geographical contexts, especially when referring to the sea route, it is common and correct to refer to it simply as 'the Cape'.
A rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa, historically significant as a landmark for sea voyages between Europe and the East.
Cape of good hope is usually formal, historical, geographical in register.
Cape of good hope: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkeɪp əv ˌɡʊd ˈhəʊp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkeɪp əv ˌɡʊd ˈhoʊp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ship's captain feeling HOPE after surviving the GOOD (but difficult) journey around the CAPE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DIFFICULT PASSAGE THAT LEADS TO REWARD; A HISTORICAL TURNING POINT; THE EDGE OF THE KNOWN WORLD.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary significance of the Cape of Good Hope?