How Do You Spell ISLAND?

Pronunciation: [ˈa͡ɪlənd] (IPA)

The word "island," pronounced /ˈaɪlənd/, is spelled with an "s" but pronounced with a silent "s" sound. This spelling quirk can be explained by the word's etymology, which comes from the Old English word "īegland," meaning "water land." The "s" was added to the Middle English spelling "ilande" to reflect the influence of Old French "isle," which itself originated from Latin "insula." Despite its unusual spelling, "island" remains a common and essential word in the English language.

ISLAND Meaning and Definition

  1. Island can be defined as a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water. It is typically smaller than a continent and has natural boundaries of water, such as a sea or an ocean. Islands can vary greatly in size, ranging from tiny islets to larger land masses. However, regardless of their size or shape, all islands share the common characteristic of being entirely encompassed by water.

    Islands can be formed in several ways, such as through volcanic activity, tectonic plate movement, or erosion. Volcanic islands are created when volcanoes erupt and release molten lava, which solidifies and forms land in the surrounding water. Tectonic islands, on the other hand, emerge due to the movements of Earth's crust, such as when two tectonic plates collide, resulting in land uplift. Erosional islands are formed when waves, currents, or glaciers erode and reshape existing landmasses, isolating them from the mainland.

    Islands often boast unique ecosystems and diverse flora and fauna, as their isolation can lead to the evolution of distinct species. They can provide habitats for various plants, animals, and organisms, including endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Additionally, islands may have cultural significance for indigenous populations who have formed their societies and civilizations in isolation from the mainland.

    Tourism is a common industry associated with islands due to their scenic beauty, beaches, and recreational activities. Many islands offer opportunities for water sports, sightseeing, and relaxation, attracting visitors from around the world to explore and enjoy the distinctive charms and tranquility that islands often offer.

  2. In anatomy, any isolated part, separated from the surrounding tissues by a groove, or marked by difference in structure; insula.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. A spot of land surrounded by water, in the same manner as the eye in the face; a tract or portion of land wholly surrounded by water.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for ISLAND *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ISLAND

Etymology of ISLAND

The word "island" derives from the Old English word "īgland", which itself comes from the Old English word "īg", meaning "island", and "land", meaning "land". The word "īg" shares its roots with the Old Norse word "ey", which also means "island".

Idioms with the word ISLAND

  • no man is an island The idiom "no man is an island" means that no person can thrive or live in isolation. It signifies that human beings are interconnected and rely on their relationships and connections with others for support, fulfillment, and understanding. It emphasizes the importance of community, social interaction, and the need for individuals to be involved in the lives of others.
  • maroon someone on an island The idiom "maroon someone on an island" refers to the act of intentionally leaving someone stranded or abandoned on an isolated island, often as a form of punishment or revenge. It metaphorically suggests isolating or trapping someone in an undesirable or difficult situation with little or no chance of escape or help.
  • maroon sm on an island The idiom "maroon someone on an island" refers to the act of leaving someone stranded or isolated in a challenging or unfavorable situation, similar to being stuck on a deserted island.
  • maroon on an island The idiom "maroon on an island" refers to a situation where someone is left alone, isolated, or abandoned with no means of escape or assistance. It relates to the concept of being stranded on an uninhabited island, emphasizing the feeling of being isolated and helpless.

Similar spelling words for ISLAND

Plural form of ISLAND is ISLANDS

Conjugate verb Island

CONDITIONAL

I would island
you would island
he/she/it would island
we would island
they would island

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be islanding
you would be islanding
he/she/it would be islanding
we would be islanding
they would be islanding

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have island
you would have island
he/she/it would have island
we would have island
they would have island

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been islanding
you would have been islanding
he/she/it would have been islanding
we would have been islanding
they would have been islanding

FUTURE

I will island
you will island
he/she/it will island
we will island
they will island

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be islanding
you will be islanding
he/she/it will be islanding
we will be islanding
they will be islanding

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have islanded
you will have islanded
he/she/it will have islanded
we will have islanded
they will have islanded

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been islanding
you will have been islanding
he/she/it will have been islanding
we will have been islanding
they will have been islanding

IMPERATIVE

you island
we let´s island

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to island

PAST

I islanded
you islanded
he/she/it islanded
we islanded
they islanded

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was islanding
you were islanding
he/she/it was islanding
we were islanding
they were islanding

PAST PARTICIPLE

islanded

PAST PERFECT

I had islanded
you had islanded
he/she/it had islanded
we had islanded
they had islanded

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been islanding
you had been islanding
he/she/it had been islanding
we had been islanding
they had been islanding

PRESENT

I island
you island
he/she/it islands
we island
they island

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am islanding
you are islanding
he/she/it is islanding
we are islanding
they are islanding

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

islanding

PRESENT PERFECT

I have islanded
you have islanded
he/she/it has islanded
we have islanded
they have islanded

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been islanding
you have been islanding
he/she/it has been islanding
we have been islanding
they have been islanding

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: