French word

île

Pronunciation

IPA/il/

Meaning

  • feminine nounisland

Example

L'île est magnifique.

The island is magnificent.

Illustration for île (island)

More examples

Nous visitons une île ce week-end.

We are visiting an island this weekend.

Core concept

A distinct patch of land rising within and surrounded by water.

Common phrases

  • petite île

    small island

  • île déserte

    deserted island

  • île tropicale

    tropical island

Similar words

péninsule: Land projecting into the sea while remaining connected to the mainland.
presqu'île: Land connected to the mainland by a narrow strip and surrounded by water on three sides.
îlot: A very small island.

Definition in French

Une île est une portion de terre entourée d'eau et séparée du continent par la mer, l'océan ou un lac.

Word origin

French île comes from Latin insula through Old French isle, with the circumflex marking the later loss of s.

Usage tips

  • Île is feminine, so standard forms include une île and l'île, with l' caused by the following vowel.

Opposites

Related words

  • îlotisletnoun
  • insulaireinsularadjective

Word lists with this word