tokelau: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “tokelau” mean?
A group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, forming a dependent territory of New Zealand.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, forming a dependent territory of New Zealand.
Refers to the people, culture, or language of Tokelau, often in contexts of geography, anthropology, or political status.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in spelling or usage; both variants refer to the same territory.
Connotations
Similar connotations of remoteness and island culture in both British and American English.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general English usage for both variants.
Grammar
How to Use “tokelau” in a Sentence
be located in Tokelaube part of Tokelaurefer to TokelauVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussions on economic opportunities or challenges in Tokelau, such as fishing industries or remote work.
Academic
Research on Tokelau's geography, climate change impact, or sociolinguistic studies of Tokelauan language.
Everyday
Mentioned in travel blogs, news reports about Pacific islands, or educational contexts.
Technical
Legal or political references to Tokelau's status as a non-self-governing territory under New Zealand administration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tokelau”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tokelau”
- Misspelling as 'Tokelaua' or 'Tokelauan' when referring to the place (use 'Tokelau' for the territory).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of Samoa and southwest of Hawaii.
Tokelau does not have a single capital; each atoll (Atafu, Nukunonu, Fakaofo) has its own administrative centre.
Tokelauan and English are the official languages, with Tokelauan being widely used in daily life.
No, Tokelau is a dependent territory of New Zealand, with limited self-governance under the Tokelau Islands Act.
A group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, forming a dependent territory of New Zealand.
Tokelau is usually formal/technical in register.
Tokelau: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtəʊkəˈlaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtoʊkəˈlaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'toe-kay-low' to remember the pronunciation: /toʊkəlaʊ/ – like stubbing your toe on a low kayak in the Pacific.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often metaphorically viewed as a 'remote paradise' or 'isolated community', symbolizing seclusion and unique culture.
Practice
Quiz
What best describes Tokelau?