coral gables: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Geographic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “coral gables” mean?
A city in Florida, USA, known for its Mediterranean Revival architecture and planned communities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A city in Florida, USA, known for its Mediterranean Revival architecture and planned communities.
A toponym referring specifically to the municipality in Miami-Dade County, Florida; can be used metonymically to refer to affluent, planned urban/suburban environments.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, it is a known geographic name, especially in Florida and travel contexts. In British English, it is far less recognized and would typically be understood only as a foreign place name.
Connotations
American: Affluence, planned community, University of Miami, specific architectural style. British: An exotic or unfamiliar American location, possibly associated with Florida tourism.
Frequency
High frequency in Southeastern US media and travel contexts; very low frequency in UK English outside of specific discussions about Florida or American urban planning.
Grammar
How to Use “coral gables” in a Sentence
PREP: in ~VERB: live in ~, visit ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coral gables” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Coral Gables style is distinctive.
- It's a classic Coral Gables estate.
American English
- She owns a Coral Gables property.
- It's a typical Coral Gables neighborhood.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to the Coral Gables business district or corporate headquarters located there.
Academic
In geography or urban planning, as a case study for City Beautiful movement and planned communities.
Everyday
Discussing travel destinations, residential areas in Florida, or the location of the University of Miami.
Technical
In legal or real estate documents specifying a property location within Miami-Dade County.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coral gables”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coral gables”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coral gables”
- Using 'Coral Gable' (singular).
- Confusing it with 'Coral Springs', another Florida city.
- Treating it as a common noun and writing it in lower case.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is an incorporated city within the Miami metropolitan area in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
The name comes from the local 'coral rock' limestone used as building material and the distinctive 'gable' roofs of the houses in the original development.
It is famous for its meticulously planned layout, Mediterranean Revival architecture, the University of Miami, the Venetian Pool, and its affluent residential character.
No, it is almost exclusively a proper noun (toponym). Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a coral gables house') is non-standard and likely a mistake, unless used adjectivally to describe the style ('a Coral Gables-style villa').
A city in Florida, USA, known for its Mediterranean Revival architecture and planned communities.
Coral gables is usually formal, geographic, journalistic in register.
Coral gables: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒr.əl ˈɡeɪ.bəlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɔːr.əl ˈɡeɪ.bəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Gables (local shorthand)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CORAL reef with beautiful houses that have pointed GABLE roofs.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE IS A LANDMARK (metonymy where the name stands for affluence and specific urban design).
Practice
Quiz
Coral Gables is best described as: