greater antilles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Geographic
Quick answer
What does “greater antilles” mean?
A major group of large islands in the Caribbean Sea, including Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major group of large islands in the Caribbean Sea, including Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
The term can also refer to the geographical and cultural region formed by these islands, contrasting with the smaller, more numerous islands of the Lesser Antilles. In broader contexts, it may be used metonymically to refer to the associated colonial history, ecosystems, or cultural traditions of these specific islands.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. Pronunciation may vary slightly (see IPA). Both varieties use the term identically in geographic and academic contexts.
Connotations
Neutral geographic term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to geography, history, travel, and environmental studies.
Grammar
How to Use “greater antilles” in a Sentence
[The] Greater Antilles [verb][Geology/History] of the Greater Antilles[Located/Situated] in the Greater AntillesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “greater antilles” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Greater Antillean fauna is distinct from that of the mainland.
- The Greater Antillean plate's movement is studied by geologists.
American English
- Greater Antillean ecosystems face unique threats.
- The research focused on Greater Antillean bird species.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in tourism, agriculture (e.g., sugar, coffee), or shipping reports specific to the region.
Academic
Common in geography, geology, history, Caribbean studies, and biology texts.
Everyday
Very low frequency. Likely only in travel guides, documentaries, or advanced discussions.
Technical
Used precisely in geographic, geological, and ecological classifications and reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “greater antilles”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “greater antilles”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “greater antilles”
- Writing in lower case (greater antilles).
- Using as a general adjective (e.g., 'a greater antilles experience' is incorrect).
- Omitting 'the' when referring to the group (e.g., 'He visited Greater Antilles' should be 'He visited the Greater Antilles').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is treated as a plural proper noun because it refers to a group of islands (e.g., 'The Greater Antilles are known for...').
The Caribbean is the entire sea and all its islands, basins, and coastal regions. The Greater Antilles are a specific subgroup of larger islands within the Caribbean.
The name 'Antilles' dates to the late Middle Ages, originating from a legendary island called 'Antilia' marked on pre-Columbian maps. After Columbus's voyages, the term was applied to the new islands he encountered.
The sovereign nations are Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic (the latter two on Hispaniola). Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States.
A major group of large islands in the Caribbean Sea, including Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
Greater antilles is usually formal, academic, geographic in register.
Greater antilles: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪ.tər ænˈtɪl.iːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪ.t̬ɚ ænˈtɪl.iz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "Greater" land area. The four main big islands you can easily spot on a map of the Caribbean (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico) are GREATER in size.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER (The region as a container for specific cultures/history); PART-WHOLE (The Greater Antilles as a major part of the Caribbean archipelago).
Practice
Quiz
What does the 'Greater' in Greater Antilles primarily refer to?