singapore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal/Neutral
Quick answer
What does “singapore” mean?
A sovereign city-state and island country in maritime Southeast Asia, comprising one main island and about 64 smaller islands.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sovereign city-state and island country in maritime Southeast Asia, comprising one main island and about 64 smaller islands.
Used to refer to the nation, its government, its people, its culture, or the city (which is the capital and the entire country). Can also refer to things originating from or characteristic of this nation (e.g., Singapore food, Singapore English).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Pronunciation differences follow general BrE/AmE patterns.
Connotations
Commonly associated with high economic development, strict laws, multiculturalism, and as a major global financial hub in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in international news, business, and travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “singapore” in a Sentence
[be/live/work] in Singapore[fly/travel] to Singapore[come/be] from Singaporethe [city/nation] of SingaporeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “singapore” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- -
American English
- -
adverb
British English
- -
American English
- -
adjective
British English
- She holds a Singapore passport.
- This is a classic Singapore dish.
American English
- He works for a Singapore-based firm.
- We studied the Singapore model of development.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the market, stock exchange (SGX), or corporate headquarters location. 'We are expanding our operations into Singapore.'
Academic
Discussed in geography, political science, economics, and sociolinguistics (Singapore English). 'The study examines urban planning policies in post-colonial Singapore.'
Everyday
Used in travel, food, and general conversation about places. 'We had a long layover in Singapore.'
Technical
In aviation/maritime contexts as a location code (SIN) and key global hub.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “singapore”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “singapore”
- Misspelling as 'Singapure' or 'Singapor'.
- Using an article incorrectly (e.g., 'the Singapore' is wrong for the country name, but 'the Singapore of the 1960s' is correct as it specifies a period).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. Singapore is a sovereign city-state; the city is the capital and constitutes the entire country.
Singaporean (noun and adjective).
It is an informal term, often used with pride, referring to how the island nation appears as a small red dot on many world maps.
No, 'Singapore' is not used as a verb in standard English.
A sovereign city-state and island country in maritime Southeast Asia, comprising one main island and about 64 smaller islands.
Singapore is usually formal/neutral in register.
Singapore: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋəˈpɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋəpɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SING (as in singing) + A + PORE (like in your skin). A place that 'sings' through its many cultures, even through a small 'pore' on the map.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CITY IS A MACHINE (for efficiency), A NATION IS A GARDEN (for its planned, clean environment).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common collocation with 'Singapore'?