cape verde: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Formal
Quick answer
What does “cape verde” mean?
An island country and archipelago located in the central Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An island country and archipelago located in the central Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa.
Can refer to the geographical location, the nation's culture, or its citizens (Cape Verdeans).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. Both refer to the country. The Portuguese name 'Cabo Verde' may appear more in formal/geopolitical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral geographical/political reference.
Frequency
Similar frequency, used in geographical, travel, and political contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cape verde” in a Sentence
[preposition] + Cape VerdeCape Verde + [verb]Cape Verde's + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cape verde” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The storm is forecast to cape verde westward.
American English
- Hurricanes often cape verde off the African coast.
adverb
British English
- The ship sailed cape verde-wards.
American English
- They travelled cape verde-style, by island hopping.
adjective
British English
- The Cape Verdean community in London is thriving.
American English
- She loves Cape Verdean traditional music.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to trade, investment, or tourism opportunities in the country.
Academic
Used in geography, political science, African studies, or climatology contexts.
Everyday
Discussing travel, world news, or geography.
Technical
Meteorology (e.g., Cape Verde hurricanes), maritime navigation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cape verde”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cape verde”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cape verde”
- Writing as 'cape verde' (lowercase)
- Using 'Cape Verdian' instead of 'Cape Verdean' for citizens.
- Confusing with 'Green Cape' or other locations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, geographically and politically it is considered part of West Africa, though it is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.
'Verde' is Portuguese for 'green'. The name 'Cabo Verde' (Green Cape) was given by Portuguese explorers.
A person from Cape Verde is called a Cape Verdean.
Yes. 'Cabo Verde' is the Portuguese name, and 'Cape Verde' is the English name for the same country.
An island country and archipelago located in the central Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa.
Cape verde is usually neutral to formal in register.
Cape verde: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkeɪp ˈvɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkeɪp ˈvɝːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the country name itself.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'cape' of 'green' land (Verde means green in Portuguese) in the Atlantic.
Conceptual Metaphor
An island nation is a secluded world; a stepping stone between continents.
Practice
Quiz
What is the official language of Cape Verde?