English · Travel & Places
island
/ˈaɪ.lənd/
[/ˈaɪ.lənd/]
land surrounded by water
Beginnernoun
Definition
A piece of land completely surrounded by water.
Example
They sailed to a small tropical island where palm trees lined the white sandy beaches.
They sailed to a small tropical island where palm trees lined the white sandy beaches.
Etymology
From Old English 'igland'; the silent 's' was added by influence of French 'isle'.
How & Where It’s Used
Common in geography and travel.
Literary Heritage
John Donne wrote 'No man is an island' in his 1624 Devotions.