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Definition of andes
andes
/ˈæn.diːz/
an · des
Plural:Andes
•Adjective:Andean
andes Lexical Profile
CEFR
B1
Grade
5
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
The longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America.
Example
"Many indigenous communities have thrived in the high altitudes of the Andes for thousands of years."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a proper noun, it is capitalized as 'Andes', usually preceded by the definite article 'the', and treated grammatically as plural.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Spanish 'Andes', which is generally believed to come from the Quechua word 'anti', meaning 'east' or 'eastern region' (referring to the Antisuyu region of the Inca Empire).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Andes. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 11, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/andes