lesser sunda islands: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Geographical
Quick answer
What does “lesser sunda islands” mean?
An archipelago in southeastern Indonesia, located east of Java.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An archipelago in southeastern Indonesia, located east of Java.
A biogeographical and political region of Indonesia, also known as Nusa Tenggara, comprising islands such as Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, and Timor (West).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Spelling and reference are identical.
Connotations
Neutral geographical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “lesser sunda islands” in a Sentence
[The] Lesser Sunda Islands + [verb] (e.g., stretch, lie, comprise)[Preposition] + the Lesser Sunda Islands (e.g., in, to, of)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lesser sunda islands” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Lesser Sunda island chain is volcanically active.
American English
- Lesser Sunda island ecology is uniquely diverse.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism or trade reports focusing on the region.
Academic
Common in geography, geology, biology, and anthropology papers.
Everyday
Very rare; likely only in travel planning or documentaries.
Technical
Used in geological surveys, climatic studies, and biodiversity conservation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lesser sunda islands”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lesser sunda islands”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lesser sunda islands”
- Writing 'Lesser Sunday Islands' (misspelling Sunda).
- Using singular 'island' instead of plural 'Islands'.
- Confusing them with the Greater Sunda Islands.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Bali is the westernmost major island in the Lesser Sunda group.
It distinguishes these generally smaller islands from the larger 'Greater Sunda Islands' (like Sumatra and Borneo) to the northwest.
No, it is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Sundha', meaning 'dry' or 'drying', and is a historical name for the region.
No, they are an archipelago that forms part of the Republic of Indonesia.
An archipelago in southeastern Indonesia, located east of Java.
Lesser sunda islands is usually formal, academic, geographical in register.
Lesser sunda islands: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlesə ˈsʌndə ˈaɪləndz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlesər ˈsʌndə ˈaɪləndz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'LESSer' for the smaller islands that are LESS known than Java or Sumatra, and 'Sunda' like 'Sunday' for a tropical island getaway.
Conceptual Metaphor
A chain of pearls (islands strung together in an arc).
Practice
Quiz
What is another name for the Lesser Sunda Islands?