montreal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, informal, geographical, cultural.
Quick answer
What does “montreal” mean?
A major city in Quebec, Canada, located on an island in the St. Lawrence River.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major city in Quebec, Canada, located on an island in the St. Lawrence River.
Often used to represent Canadian culture, bilingualism (French/English), or to denote a specific style, event, or product associated with the city (e.g., Montreal-style bagels, Montreal Canadiens hockey team).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal, as it's a proper noun. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent. However, British English news may provide more phonetic approximation of the French pronunciation, while American English often uses a more anglicized form.
Connotations
In the UK, it may strongly connote French-Canadian culture and history. In the US, it's often seen as a nearby cosmopolitan, bilingual city for travel.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both, though likely higher in Canadian media context.
Grammar
How to Use “montreal” in a Sentence
[verb] + Montreal (e.g., live in, travel to, leave)Montreal + [verb] (e.g., Montreal hosted, Montreal is known for)[adjective] + Montreal (e.g., cosmopolitan Montreal, bilingual Montreal)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “montreal” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She loves the Montreal vibe.
- It's a classic Montreal bagel.
American English
- He's a Montreal-based designer.
- They serve Montreal-style smoked meat.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the Montreal Stock Exchange, headquarters location, or the Montreal economic market.
Academic
Appears in geographical, historical, political science, or linguistic studies regarding bilingualism and Canadian society.
Everyday
Used in travel plans, discussing hockey, or referring to origin of a product or person.
Technical
In environmental science, refers to the 'Montreal Protocol' on substances that deplete the ozone layer.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “montreal”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “montreal”
- Misspelling as 'Montreal' (no accent) is standard in English. 'Montréal' is the French spelling.
- Mispronouncing with stress on the first syllable ('MON-tre-al').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Montreal is not the capital of Canada. Ottawa is the national capital. Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec.
Montreal is officially bilingual (French and English), but French is the official language of the province of Quebec and is the dominant language in the city.
The Montreal Canadiens, founded in 1909, are a historic professional ice hockey team. The name (French for 'Canadians') reflects the team's original founding as a team for French-Canadian players.
The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty (1987) designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion.
A major city in Quebec, Canada, located on an island in the St. Lawrence River.
Montreal is usually formal, informal, geographical, cultural. in register.
Montreal: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒn.riˈɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːn.triˈɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not exactly Montreal.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ROYAL mountain (MONT-REAL). A royal city built on a mountain island.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MELTING POT (of cultures/languages); A BRIDGE (between French and English Canada, between Europe and North America).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Montreal' most specifically?